New York Yankees infielder José Caballero remains uncertain about the specifics of the Major League Baseball pitch clock rule after receiving a warning in Sunday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays. The warning arose when Caballero did not engage with the pitcher within eight seconds of the clock, drawing attention to his approach at the plate.

Caballero expressed frustration with the rule's interpretation, telling reporters before Tuesday’s 12-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium that he was still awaiting a clear explanation. “I’m still waiting [for] the actual rule,” he said, adding that the guidelines seemed to change frequently.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he spoke extensively with league officials on Monday and relayed clarifications to Caballero. According to Boone, the key concern for umpires is not just that the batter raises his head by the eight-second mark, but that he appears “alert” and ready to face the pitcher at that time. Boone emphasized that as long as Caballero maintains this state, his approach should comply with the rules.

“I certainly understand what he’s trying to do, and he has a rhythm and a process to get locked in,” Boone said. “We think it’s within the rules.” He explained that Caballero now must understand the definition of being “alert” per umpire standards and avoid stepping out of the batter’s box unless explicitly instructed by the umpire, particularly if the pitcher has not delivered the ball in time.

The Yankees see Caballero’s tactics as part of his competitive edge. Boone noted that the player’s ability to disrupt pitchers was one of the qualities that initially attracted the team while he was with the Tampa Bay Rays. “He’s a smart, gritty player and there’s some gamesmanship to what he does,” Boone said. “He’s using the rules to the best of his ability to his advantage.”

Caballero, however, indicated that his method sometimes involves holding his bat in a hitting position without looking up immediately, a practice that some argue may violate the rule against batters trying to “deceive” pitchers. This aspect drew criticism from Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider, who claimed Caballero is the only player using such tactics. Caballero declined to engage with Schneider’s remarks, stating, “I’m not gonna give my at-bat to a pitcher to determine my timing.”

Boone acknowledged his player’s perspective, adding that many hitters have a personal process to control their at-bats and focus amid the pace of the game. “Every batter has a mentality of how to get focused and their process. That’s what he’s doing,” Boone said. He also expressed surprise that more hitters do not adopt similar strategies to manage timing against pitchers.

While the pitch clock aims to maintain game tempo, both Caballero and Boone accept that the player’s approach may rattle opponents. Boone remarked, “I’ve been on the other side. I understand it gets under their skin.” He summarized the team’s stance by saying, “The last thing I want to do as a hitter is be at the mercy of a pitcher for 15 to 17 seconds, where they can control the pace and tempo.”

As the Yankees continue to navigate this evolving aspect of the rulebook, Caballero plans to seek further clarification from umpires before his next plate appearance.