TAMPA, Fla. — Jose Caballero’s fiery competitive streak boiled over at the worst possible moment Wednesday night, ending in an ejection that nearly cost the New York Yankees during their 6-4 extra-inning win over the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Facing his former club for the first time since being traded at the deadline, Caballero was thrown out in the top of the 10th inning after a bizarre sequence involving MLB’s disengagement rule and a controversial out call at second base.
Tempers flare during 10th-inning baserunning dispute
With the Yankees leading 6-3 and Caballero on first, Rays closer Pete Fairbanks threw over to the bag three times. The third pickoff attempt triggered confusion. Though Fairbanks disengaged from the rubber, it was not ruled a violation. The umpires convened, and Caballero was not awarded second base, a ruling that visibly upset the Yankees dugout.
Moments later, Jose Caballero swiped second base but was called out for over-sliding the bag. Second base umpire Roberto Ortiz made the call, which was upheld on replay review. Caballero immediately turned to argue and was ejected after repeated objections.
“I wasn’t happy about the call,” Caballero said postgame. “There’s no way you can see that I came off the bag in real time. I was just frustrated. I said it multiple times and he didn’t like it.”
Boone forced into defensive shuffle after ejection
Manager Aaron Boone rushed out to de-escalate the situation, but Caballero had already been tossed. The incident left the Yankees in a difficult spot defensively. Boone was forced to insert Giancarlo Stanton in right field, a position he had not played in weeks. Amed Rosario, the last available bench player, entered at third base.
“Can’t happen,” Boone said. “In that situation, you’ve got to turn away and let me handle that. You can’t allow yourself to cross a line.”
The Yankees had used up most of their bench following Stanton’s pinch-hit two-run homer earlier in the inning. Caballero’s ejection threatened to undo a dramatic rally, but the team held on to complete a crucial sweep.
Caballero reflects on costly ejection
The 28-year-old utility man later expressed regret over his actions and acknowledged Boone’s frustration with how the inning unfolded.
“I’m not happy that I got thrown out and had to come off the game in extra innings,” Caballero said. “I want to be in the game. I want to help the team win. Obviously, next time I’m going to try my best to not do what I did.”
He added, “I just kept repeating myself, and he didn’t like that. So after I got thrown out, of course, I was already thrown out, so I had to say something else.”
The ejection was Caballero’s first in the major leagues.
A disruptive presence with valuable upside
Caballero, who joined the Yankees in a July 31 trade with Tampa Bay, has quickly made an impact. In 11 games since arriving in New York, he’s batting .364 with two home runs, five stolen bases and a .986 OPS. His pair of home runs in Tuesday’s nine-homer outburst helped energize a lineup seeking speed and defensive versatility.
“Just a gamer, fun guy to be around,” said teammate Cody Bellinger. “Really good energy and just a really good baseball player.”
Caballero has added speed to a club that already featured threats like Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Jasson Domínguez. His 40 stolen bases lead all of Major League Baseball.
The infielder’s energy has been infectious. Even Boone, who once sparred with Caballero from the opposing dugout, has embraced his relentless style of play.
“I couldn’t stand him playing against us, and now he’s turning into one of my favorite players,” Boone said earlier this week.
From enemy to asset in pinstripes
Caballero earned a reputation around the league as an irritant. He was known for gamesmanship at the plate, like stepping out to disrupt pitcher rhythm. One notable encounter came in 2023 against Yankees ace Gerrit Cole, who hurled a 97 mph fastball to the backstop in frustration before striking Caballero out.
Now in New York, Caballero is drawing praise for the same edge that once made him a villain.
“That’s what I’m trying to do,” he said. “I don’t want them to like me. I’m just trying to mess with them.”
Paul Goldschmidt, another recent Yankees acquisition, credited Caballero for disrupting opponents with speed and instincts.
“I told him I hated playing against him,” Goldschmidt said. “He just always puts pressure on the other team. He’s a really valuable asset for us.”
Tension fades as Yankees move forward
Despite the chaotic turn of events, the Yankees escaped with their fifth straight victory and improved to 69-57 on the season. Caballero’s frustration momentarily clouded an otherwise successful night, but his energy and production remain central to the club’s stretch run.
Boone said he spoke with Caballero privately following the game.
“He’s a smart, tough, winning player,” Boone said. “But in moments like that, you’ve got to keep your composure. He knows that.”
The Yankees continue their homestand Thursday night as they open a pivotal four-game series against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium.
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