Jazz Chisholm Jr. acknowledges that his ABS difficulties are so severe you have to find it funny.

Yankees’ Challenges with the ABS System

HOUSTON — As of Friday, only one player in the majors had a worse record in the Automated Ball Strike System Challenge than Jose Caballero. However, no player, it seems, had managed to win more than the Yankees shortstop.

When looking at the situations where Caballero unsuccessfully challenged calls—often not in the most intense moments—it’s clear some players fared worse than others. It’s kind of interesting, really.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone mentioned that it’s “possible” he might eventually tell his players to stop challenging, but surprisingly, he hasn’t felt that way yet, even just a month into using the ABS system.

He did share some of the hurdles he faces with Caballero. “Sure,” Boone chuckled, reflecting on the conversations. “It’s pretty solid.”

It wouldn’t be unexpected if Boone had a similar chat with Jazz Chisholm Jr. after the Yankees’ 12-4 victory over the Astros. This came after a rather nervous challenge during a 3-2 count in the ninth inning.

“You just have to laugh at that point,” Chisholm noted. “We were winning. It’s a kid’s game, after all. Sometimes you have to chuckle at things. I did get fined a thousand dollars, but I’m okay.”

Chisholm mentioned he only won one out of six challenges, marking his second fine of the season.

“It feels like I’m punishing myself,” he remarked. “Then I need to do something that at least offsets that $1,000 for the team.”

Leading into Friday’s game, Caballero was tied for the major league lead with five successful challenges, but also shares the second-highest number of failed attempts—five, following Ronald Acuña Jr.’s six.

On another note, with Anthony Volpe nearing his return from the disabled list, Caballero might only have a week left as the Yankees’ starting shortstop. It’s possible he could get replaced as soon as next Friday’s homestand kicks off.

Boone stated he “didn’t necessarily expect” Volpe to come back during the final leg of the road trip against the Rangers, which runs from Monday to Wednesday.

Carlos Rodon, meanwhile, started his rehab assignment at High-A Hudson Valley on Friday night, throwing 65 pitches over 4 1/3 scoreless innings. The left-hander recorded four strikeouts, giving up only one hit and one walk. He might need a couple more rehab outings before rejoining the Yankees rotation.

Interestingly, Rodon is expected to return before Gerrit Cole, who threw 52 pitches in his second rehab start Thursday evening.

Boone commented, “I thought [Cole] looked really good. Everything seemed fine. He seems to have his fastball in good shape, both four-seam and two-seam.”

Fernando Cruz and Ryan Yarbrough both took the mound on Friday for the first time in over a week. Cruz allowed two solo home runs in the seventh inning, while Yarbrough ended the game on a high note with two scoreless hits.