Updated

Updated · The New York Times · Jul 22

Yankees Beat Pirates 8-5 as José Caballero, Dennis Santana Spark Bench-Clearing Dustup

Updated

Updated · The New York Times · Jul 22

Yankees Beat Pirates 8-5 as José Caballero, Dennis Santana Spark Bench-Clearing Dustup

Q: Why is the Brewers' manager worried about his ace pitcher who just hit 104 mph and leads MLB in strikeouts?

Brewers manager Pat Murphy is worried about Jacob Misiorowski’s health and workload, not his effectiveness. Misiorowski’s stuff remains elite — he touched 104 mph, threw 26 pitches at 100-plus, and leads the majors in strikeouts — but Milwaukee is seeing warning signs. He recently missed a start because of arm fatigue, and in his return Murphy said he saw “concerning” issues with the pitcher’s leg drive and command after the second inning. Misiorowski himself said the long layoff left him feeling “a little bit out of it” mechanically. The broader concern is how much stress his profile puts on his body. Misiorowski’s extreme velocity creates unusual arm strain, and the Brewers are closely monitoring him in what is effectively his first full major league season. He has already piled up a heavy workload and is nearing last year’s career-high innings total, while also having dealt with physical interruptions such as fatigue and cramping. That is why Milwaukee limited him to a planned four-inning, 65-pitch outing against the Mets after a 13-day break. The Brewers, who have the best record in baseball and postseason ambitions, are trying to protect their ace for the stretch run rather than push him now because of short-term dominance.

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 22

Eighth-inning words between José Caballero and Pirates pitcher Dennis Santana cleared the benches after Caballero grounded into a 1-6-3 double play in New York’s 8-5 win.
9 seconds remained on the pitch clock when Santana appeared to begin his delivery with Caballero still looking down, prompting plate umpire Paul Clemons to halt play and signal that the batter had to make eye contact.
Santana then seemed to blow a kiss toward Caballero before both players moved toward each other and exchanged words; no punches were thrown and no one was ejected.
Caballero’s timing routine already drew scrutiny in June, when MLB clarified that hitters must be alert and facing the pitcher by the 8-second mark, though the newsletter said he is still operating within the rules.