Daily Report – 7/24/26
Yankees
The Yankees’ hopes to defend José Caballero’s honor crumbled in the first game of Wednesday’s doubleheader. So, just like their shortstop, they had to change their approach. Following a 5-3 extra-innings loss in Game 1, which included a controversial argument between Caballero, Aaron Boone, the umpires, and the league, the Yankees shut the door on Pittsburgh 2-0.
After Monday’s bench brawl, Major League Baseball called Adrian Johnson’s umpire crew and instructed them to immediately issue a violation to Caballero if he broke the pitch clock rule. Since MLB implemented the pitch clock in 2023, Caballero has used it to his advantage by waiting until the eight-second mark to make eye contact with the opposing pitcher.
But Dennis Santana’s behavior on Monday prompted MLB to change the rule on Caballero overnight, and they left the Yankees out of the conversation.
“I’ve been told very specifically over and over when we have had issues, when I’ve had conversations with the league, [that Caballero] has to be alert at eight seconds,” said a frustrated Boone. “That’s making sure he looks up at nine [seconds], just to make sure he’s in. That’s very specifically what I’ve been told, and today was something different. And they didn’t give us the heads-up.”
Meanwhile, after the game, Johnson cited a rule stating that an umpire can decide whether a hitter deceives a pitcher and subsequently issue that hitter a pitch-clock violation. Evidently, the league decided that the deception rule would trump the eight-second rule, much to the chagrin of Caballero, who felt targeted by the change.
“[The rule] says something about deceiving the pitcher, which to my understanding [means] trying to trick the pitcher,” Caballero said. “I’m not trying to trick anyone.”
Yesterday, Caballero published a statement on the incident. Translated from Spanish, he wrote, “It’s very easy to just invent rules and change the most beautiful sport in the world, and then not take responsibility for its flaws. They know they’re wrong, but it’s very hard to accept that a simple player who just wants to play the sport he’s always loved can adapt and use it in his game.
“In the end, they’re the ones who are in charge and do whatever they want, whenever and however they want, and everyone else just has to shut up and obey.”
So, the league may penalize Caballero for his statement. There is a limit to how far this debate should go. Was Caballero right? Was the league targeting him? Or is it best for him to set the issue aside, swallow his pride, and adjust to the new policy?
The latter seems like the better option, especially because Caballero’s incident overshadowed Gerrit Cole and Max Fried, who were both phenomenal on their first day together in the Yankees’ rotation.
In Game 1, Cole gave up three runs, including two homers, but his metrics were the best they’ve been all year. Across seven innings, he struck out 11 batters, including eight with his fastball, without issuing any walks. Against baseball’s second-highest-scoring offense, Cole generated 21 swings and misses.
Midway through the seventh inning, the Yankees were trailing 3-0, but Ben Rice tied the game with a three-run shot to right field. But in extra innings, Fernando Cruz walked two batters and allowed two runs. Then, the Yankees’ bats went quiet in the bottom of the 10th.
Then, that night, things changed. In his first start since May 13, Max Fried used 57 pitches across five dazzling scoreless innings. In the first frame, he gave up a hit to leadoff hitter Nick Gonzales, but Cody Bellinger bailed him out with a brilliant throw to second base.
Fried cruised through the rest of his start, retiring 14 of his next 15 batters, including each of his last 12. He struck out batters with five of his seven pitch types, and his velocities were up on six of them.
“He looked great, obviously,” Boone said. “Frankly, as good as he’s looked all year, in any of his other starts. [On a pitch count], you’re kind of hoping he can get you three innings, maybe 10 outs. And to be that efficient to throw five shutout innings, I thought [he] was really sharp from the jump.”
The Yankees used all of their high-leverage relievers in their first game on Monday, so their shutout win was made even more impressive by Angel Chivilli, Paul Blackburn, Will Warren, and Tim Hill. Nobody shone brighter than Blackburn, who inherited a runner in the seventh inning, walked another, and still managed three strikeouts.
In the bottom of the seventh, Bellinger walked, and with two outs, Jasson Domínguez inched a go-ahead double down the left field line. Anthony Volpe followed with a single, putting the Yankees ahead 2-0.
Blackburn returned in the eighth inning, and he retired the side in order. The righty hasn’t allowed a run since July 9, the only one he’s permitted in nine appearances this month and in 14 appearances since June 21. Blackburn’s hot streak, plus Angel Chivilli and Brent Headrick’s excellence, have led to some significant trust tree updates.
Here is the Yankees’ most recent AGM Sports bullpen trust tree, in order of reliability:
Most Reliable: RHP David Bednar (C)
LHP Brent Headrick (SU)
RHP Paul Blackburn (LR)
RHP Fernando Cruz (MR)
RHP Angel Chivilli (MR)
LHP Tim Hill (MR)
LHP Ryan Yarbrough (LR)
Least Reliable: RHP Camilo Doval (MR)
The Yankees look to continue their successful pitching on the road for 10 games, beginning with a three-game set at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
Tonight at 6:45 PM, in Friday Night Baseball, RHP Cam Schlittler (9-6, 2.20 ERA) will toe the slab against LHP Jesús Luzardo (9-4, 3.43 ERA) (AppleTV+).
Here is tonight’s starting lineup for the New York Yankees:
1B Paul Goldschmidt (R)
DH Ben Rice (L)
3B Amed Rosario (R)
LF Cody Bellinger (L)
RF Jasson Domínguez (S)
SS Anthony Volpe (R)
CF Trent Grisham (L)
2B José Caballero (R)
C Ali Sánchez (R)
SP: RHP Cam Schlittler (9-6, 2.20 ERA)
Tomorrow, at 6:05 PM, LHP Ryan Weathers (3-7, 4.40 ERA) will start for the Yankees (YES, Gotham Sports). The Phillies have yet to announce their starter.
Then, on Sunday Night Baseball at 7:20 PM, RHP Will Warren (7-4, 4.00 ERA) will start for the Yankees against the star lefty Christopher Sánchez (12-4, 2.65 ERA), who started the All-Star Game for the National League (NBC, Peacock).
Schedule
Tonight 7/24:
6:45 PM: Friday Night Baseball – NYY at PHI; AppleTV+; SP: RHP Cam Schlittler (9-6, 2.20 ERA) vs. LHP Jesús Luzardo (9-4, 3.43 ERA)
Saturday 7/25:
6:05 PM: NYY at PHI; YES, Gotham Sports; SP: LHP Ryan Weathers (3-7, 4.40 ERA) vs. TBA
Sunday 7/26:
7:20 PM: Sunday Night Baseball – NYY at PHI; NBC, Peacock; SP: RHP Will Warren (7-4, 4.00 ERA) vs. LHP Christopher Sánchez (12-4, 2.65 ERA)
Cover Image Courtesy: New York Yankees
