MLB's ABS goes live

Yankees shortstop José Caballero initiated the first Major League ABS challenge on Opening Night at Oracle Park on March 25, 2026; his challenge was ultimately upheld (the umpire’s call stood). (mlb.com) New York Mets catcher Francisco Álvarez recorded MLB’s first successful ABS overturn on March 26, 2026 at Citi Field — a ball was changed to a strike on a Freddy Peralta pitch, resulting in a strikeout that preceded a Brandon Lowe homer two pitches later. (mlb.com) MLB’s ABS Challenge runs over a T‑Mobile private 5G network and relies on a dozen Sony Hawk‑Eye cameras placed around the field; the league says pitch location is tracked to the fraction of an inch and the typical review takes roughly 15 seconds. (sportsvideo.org) Under the official 2026 rules each club begins a game with two ABS challenges, keeps any challenge that is successful, and may only initiate a challenge via the pitcher, catcher or batter by immediately tapping his hat or helmet; teams with no challenges entering an extra inning are awarded one. (mlb.com) Usage spiked in a few early games — the Orioles and Twins combined for 10 ABS reviews with seven overturned during one weekend matchup — and the first ABS‑related ejection came when Twins manager Derek Shelton was tossed after disputing the timing of a challenge. (sports.yahoo.com) Statcast and analytics sites rolled out “Statcast — ABS” leaderboards that use MLB’s new player‑specific rectangle (plate width 17 inches; top at 53.5% of a batter’s height; bottom at 27% of height), and MLB required certified player heights before regular‑season play. (blogs.fangraphs.com)