{"id":34337,"date":"2026-08-09T10:02:32","date_gmt":"2026-08-09T05:02:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=34337"},"modified":"2026-08-09T10:02:32","modified_gmt":"2026-08-09T05:02:32","slug":"aaron-boone-defends-jose-caballero-after-latest-uncalled-for-violation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=34337","title":{"rendered":"Aaron Boone defends Jose Caballero after latest &#8216;uncalled for&#8217; violation"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div xmlns:default=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<p>Aaron Boone insists Jos\u00e9 Caballero no longer is pushing the envelope when it comes to the pitch clock, which made the infielder\u2019s violation with one out in the bottom of the seventh Saturday even more bothersome to the manager.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey got him for circumvention,\u2019\u2019 Boone said of the call by home plate umpire Dan Merzel in the <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/08\/08\/sports\/yankees-offense-does-the-job-in-second-straight-win-over-braves\/\">5-4 Yankees win over Atlanta at the Stadium<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Boone added the call was made at \u201caround 11 seconds [with] no warning. And they have to warn him.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Caballero <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/07\/24\/sports\/jose-caballeros-pitch-clock-reality-with-yankees-settling-in\/\">has made a name for himself<\/a> this season by occasionally not engaging with pitchers until the 8-second mark on the pitch clock, which is as long as a batter can go.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Last month, Caballero was called for a violation even when he was engaged prior to the 8-second mark because the umpires ruled he spent the final few seconds in the batter\u2019s box but looking down.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>A visibly frustrated Boone indicated that the interpretation of the rule appeared to change again Saturday \u2014 at least in regard to Caballero.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><button class=\"button button--modal-trigger\" aria-label=\"Open the image in a modal.\" data-modal-image=\"40257307\"><br \/>\n\t<default:svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"icon-plus\" fill=\"#fff\" viewbox=\"0 0 1033 1000\" width=\"1em\" height=\"1em\"><default:path d=\"M380 364V0h273v355h380v290H653v355H380V645H0V355h380v9z\"\/><\/default:svg><br \/>\n<\/button><br \/>\n<img style=\"aspect-ratio:1.12035011;display:block\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-modal-image=\"40257307\" width=\"661\" height=\"590\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/gets-automatic-strike-pitch-timer-136859839.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"Jos\u00e9 Caballero argues with the umpire during the Yankees-Braves game on Aug. 8, 2026. \" class=\"wp-image-40257307\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/gets-automatic-strike-pitch-timer-136859839.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 3403w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/gets-automatic-strike-pitch-timer-136859839.jpg?resize=300,268&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 300w, 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https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/gets-automatic-strike-pitch-timer-136859839.jpg?resize=76,69&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 76w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/gets-automatic-strike-pitch-timer-136859839.jpg?resize=45,40&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 45w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/gets-automatic-strike-pitch-timer-136859839.jpg?resize=78,70&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 78w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/gets-automatic-strike-pitch-timer-136859839.jpg?resize=60,54&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 60w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/gets-automatic-strike-pitch-timer-136859839.jpg?resize=200,179&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 200w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/gets-automatic-strike-pitch-timer-136859839.jpg?resize=231,206&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 231w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/gets-automatic-strike-pitch-timer-136859839.jpg?resize=322,288&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 322w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/gets-automatic-strike-pitch-timer-136859839.jpg?resize=494,441&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 494w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/gets-automatic-strike-pitch-timer-136859839.jpg?resize=67,60&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 67w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/gets-automatic-strike-pitch-timer-136859839.jpg?resize=90,80&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 90w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/gets-automatic-strike-pitch-timer-136859839.jpg?resize=1200,1072&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1200w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/gets-automatic-strike-pitch-timer-136859839.jpg?resize=65,58&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 65w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/gets-automatic-strike-pitch-timer-136859839.jpg?resize=175,156&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 175w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/gets-automatic-strike-pitch-timer-136859839.jpg?resize=50,45&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 50w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 661px) 100vw, 661px\"\/><figcaption>Jos\u00e9 Caballero argues with the umpire during the Yankees-Braves game on Aug. 8, 2026.  <span class=\"credit\">Robert Sabo for NY Post<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module aligncenter wp-block-nypost-editor-primary-tag\">\n<\/aside>\n<p>And to make matters worse, even after Caballero worked a walk in the at-bat, he was clearly still upset about the violation and slammed his equipment down before going to first.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He had to be guided to the base by first base coach Dan Fiorito.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>As that was going on, Merzel called a pitch-clock violation on the next batter, Austin Wells.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><button class=\"button button--modal-trigger\" aria-label=\"Open the image in a modal.\" data-modal-image=\"40257309\"><br \/>\n\t<default:svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"icon-plus\" fill=\"#fff\" viewbox=\"0 0 1033 1000\" width=\"1em\" height=\"1em\"><default:path d=\"M380 364V0h273v355h380v290H653v355H380V645H0V355h380v9z\"\/><\/default:svg><br \/>\n<\/button><br \/>\n<img style=\"aspect-ratio:1.12403952;display:block\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-modal-image=\"40257309\" width=\"663\" height=\"590\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/3-new-york-yankees-shortstop-136859837.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"Aaron Boone (L.) argues with the umpire during the Yankees-Braves game on Aug. 8, 2026. \" class=\"wp-image-40257309\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/3-new-york-yankees-shortstop-136859837.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 3403w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/3-new-york-yankees-shortstop-136859837.jpg?resize=300,267&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/3-new-york-yankees-shortstop-136859837.jpg?resize=768,684&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 768w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/3-new-york-yankees-shortstop-136859837.jpg?resize=1024,911&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/3-new-york-yankees-shortstop-136859837.jpg?resize=1536,1367&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/3-new-york-yankees-shortstop-136859837.jpg?resize=2048,1823&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 2048w, 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https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/3-new-york-yankees-shortstop-136859837.jpg?resize=200,178&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 200w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/3-new-york-yankees-shortstop-136859837.jpg?resize=231,206&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 231w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/3-new-york-yankees-shortstop-136859837.jpg?resize=322,287&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 322w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/3-new-york-yankees-shortstop-136859837.jpg?resize=495,441&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 495w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/3-new-york-yankees-shortstop-136859837.jpg?resize=67,60&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 67w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/3-new-york-yankees-shortstop-136859837.jpg?resize=90,80&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 90w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/3-new-york-yankees-shortstop-136859837.jpg?resize=1200,1068&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1200w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/3-new-york-yankees-shortstop-136859837.jpg?resize=65,58&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 65w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/3-new-york-yankees-shortstop-136859837.jpg?resize=175,156&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 175w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/3-new-york-yankees-shortstop-136859837.jpg?resize=50,45&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 663px) 100vw, 663px\"\/><figcaption>Aaron Boone (L.) argues with the umpire during the Yankees-Braves game on Aug. 8, 2026.  <span class=\"credit\">Robert Sabo for NY Post<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cThat was petty stuff going on,\u2019\u2019 Boone said of Merzel\u2019s call in the Wells\u2019 at-bat. \u201cI thought that was uncalled for.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Boone argued with Merzel and crew chief Dan Bellino after the inning, noting that Caballero was never given a heads-up before the call.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>You have to warn him,\u201d Boone said. \u201cYou have to warn him \u2014 unless I get a new memo from the league that changes [the rule] again.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"product-spotlight product-spotlight-block wp-block-nypost-editor-product-spotlight\">\n<p>\n\t\t\tYankees Merch Shop\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\tNew York Post receives revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and when you make a purchase.\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Boone added Caballero is \u201cnot doing that anymore. \u2026 I didn\u2019t even see this one. There might have been some circumvention, [but] there needs to be a warning.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Caballero has been able to bother opposing pitchers with his ability to not engage until the final moment, which led to the benches clearing in a game against the Pirates last month, when Pittsburgh\u2019s Dennis Santana took exception to Caballero\u2019s manipulation of the pitch timer.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>That resulted in a pitch being waved off during the at-bat.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Around the time that the pitch-clock controversy came to a head, Caballero fell into a funk at the plate, going 5-for-29 with a double, two walks and 10 strikeouts in a nine-game stretch.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>And his playing time may be limited with George Lombard Jr. now the everyday shortstop.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Aaron Boone insists Jos\u00e9 Caballero no longer is pushing the envelope when it comes to the pitch clock, which made the infielder\u2019s violation with one out in the bottom of the seventh Saturday even more bothersome to the manager.\u00a0 \u201cThey got him for circumvention,\u2019\u2019 Boone said of the call by home plate umpire Dan Merzel&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":34338,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/newspress-collage-hpr1b7r9t-1786238567645.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&1786224182&w=1200","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-34337","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pics-news"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34337","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=34337"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34337\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/34338"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=34337"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=34337"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=34337"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}