The New York Yankees continued to struggle offensively on Tuesday night in St. Petersburg, Florida, striking out 17 times for the second consecutive game. One particularly unusual moment came in the second inning when infielder José Caballero, facing Ian Seymour of the Tampa Bay Rays, appeared to concede strike three by dropping his bat mid-pitch. After working a full count, Caballero fouled off two pitches but then, anticipating a breaking ball outside the strike zone based on Seymour’s previous pitch selection, intentionally let a fastball sail by for a called third strike.

Caballero explained Wednesday at Tropicana Field that his unorthodox approach was a deliberate attempt to avoid chasing another out-of-zone breaking ball, a mistake he said he had made frequently in recent at-bats. “I was selling out for a ball,” he said. “I was taking my chances for him to throw a ball.” Despite the strikeout, he emphasized that throwing his bat down made it clear he had no intention of swinging, saying, “There’s no way I’m swinging if I throw my bat.”

Yankees manager Aaron Boone acknowledged the unconventional tactic but commended Caballero’s competitive spirit. “I think there’s some moxie to what he did,” Boone said. “Obviously, it didn’t work out. But there’s also some gamesmanship that he does intuitively and well sometimes.” Boone noted that the team’s offensive difficulties, including a high number of strikeouts this week and in recent weeks, might color perceptions of the at-bat, but he appreciated Caballero’s effort.

The Yankees are also managing rotation decisions following the injury to Carlos Rodón. Brendan Beck’s last start was ineffective, and he has since been sent back to Triple-A. Boone indicated that a bullpen game was likely for Thursday’s series finale against the Rays, rather than promoting a spot starter like Elmer Rodríguez, but final decisions would depend on Wednesday’s game. Boone stated there was no immediate plan to secure another pitcher for Thursday’s day game but stressed the team needs to remain flexible.

Regarding the lineup, Jazz Chisholm Jr. was held out against left-hander Shane McClanahan on Wednesday, with Boone seeking to balance right-handed bats and also being cautious due to Chisholm’s right big toe discomfort sustained earlier in the series. Caballero filled in at second base, while Anthony Volpe returned to shortstop for the first time in a few games.

Volpe, a 2023 Gold Glove recipient at shortstop, has experienced ups and downs defensively this season due to a shoulder injury that affected his arm strength. Though Volpe’s offensive numbers include a .338 on-base percentage, his OPS was .663 in 41 games, trailing Caballero’s .701 mark across 78 games. Defensive metrics show Caballero with better Defensive Runs Saved (6 to 1), though both have had their share of errors.

Boone reflected on the internal competition between the two players, noting that the rivalry has elevated performance levels. “We really haven’t had, until Cabby walked in the door last year, a real competition-based thing here,” Boone said. “Volpe has been a damn good shortstop. He’s had struggles, sure, but he’s also played really well in long stretches.”

Separately, the team addressed a previous report that Volpe had refused to play second base in Triple-A, which was emphatically denied by the player and others within the organization, who praised his willingness to contribute wherever needed.

Injury updates remain a concern for the Yankees as outfielder Aaron Judge, sidelined with a right rib stress fracture, traveled with the team but continues limited activity pending further imaging. Meanwhile, right-handed pitcher Luis Gil, dealing with right shoulder inflammation, has resumed throwing but remains distant from active play.

The Yankees will continue their series against the Rays before heading to Washington for matchups against the Nationals, with starting pitchers and lineups still being finalized amid ongoing adjustments.