NEW YORK—The Yankees were caught relaying pitches to their hitters on Sunday afternoon, but don’t expect a controversy. Not even the Blue Jays were upset.
In the first inning, Jays first baseman Ty France jogged to the mound and informed starter Max Scherzer that the Yankees had picked up on a tell. Runners on first could see when Scherzer was about to throw a changeup and signalled the batter.
“It’s something we’re aware of,” Scherzer said following the Jays’ 4-3 loss at Yankee Stadium. “They can get my changeup out of my glove from first base ... It’s not just the Yankees; we know across the league guys can do that. I’ve had multiple guys tell me that.
“I thought I addressed it, I thought I had the proper adjustment, but clearly I hadn’t.”
The Jays handled the situation with a lot more professionalism than the Atlanta Braves did in late July, when the Yankees were caught doing the same thing. Braves assistant hitting coach Eddie Pérez took offence to Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. relaying signs and let him know. Chisholm made a crying motion and Pérez pointed to his head, which appeared to be a threat.
There was none of that Sunday. Scherzer took accountability and the Jays coaching staff wasn’t too upset, either. Â
“They were relaying; they’re good at it,” Jays manager John Schneider said. “Max has to be a little bit better. It was obvious on the changeups ... It’s fair game. All of Major League Baseball knows the Yankees are good when they’ve got something. I’m not the only one who’s going to say it — maybe I’m the only one who will say it publicly. We have to do a better job of making sure we aren’t giving anything away.”
Even before the arrival of PitchCom, teams were permitted to steal signs on the field. What they aren’t allowed to do is set up special cameras to help, which is what the Houston Astros were accused of in a sign-stealing scandal.
“That’s a part of the game, that’s part of the game, that’s part of the game,” Scherzer said when asked about the ethics of what the Yankees did.
Bichette update
Jays shortstop Bo Bichette was held out of Sunday’s loss with a sore left shin. He was hurt Saturday on a play at the plate, sliding into catcher Austin Wells. Bichette remained in the game, but wasn’t feeling quite as good Sunday.
“He’s sore,” Schneider said. “I think adrenaline kicked in yesterday moving around. He woke up a little more sore. So it’s a timely off-day for him (Monday) and we’ll see how he is Tuesday. Nothing additional, no further testing or anything.”
Jays vs. Astros
The Jays have yet to set their starting rotation to face the Houston Astros, starting Tuesday at the Rogers Centre. If they kept everyone on turn, José BerrÃos will start the opener, followed by Shane Bieber and Kevin Gausman. The Jays might be catching the AL-West leading Astros at the right time. They’ve lost their last three series.
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