The New York Yankees kicked off their spring training with a 2-0 loss to the Baltimore Orioles in Sarasota. With just three hits and 10 strikeouts, it wasn't the start fans hoped for. Adding to the drama, Yankees catcher Austin Wells found himself in the spotlight for losing two challenges using the new Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system.
Now, let's not hit the panic button just yet. It's the first game of 2026, and the lineup was far from full strength. Wells might have been testing the waters with the ABS system, but social media didn't hold back in its critique.
Wells' first challenge was a head-scratcher. Jake Bird threw a curveball that was clearly a ball, and when Wells challenged the call, it was upheld. The internet was quick to react, with fans-especially from rival teams-having a field day with the misjudgment.
The second challenge wasn't much better. The pitch was 2.1 inches above the strike zone, but a solid frame-job made it look closer. By the fifth inning, the Yankees had exhausted their challenges, having lost two out of three.
This new challenge system is going to take some getting used to, especially for those who haven't played in the minors where the ABS system has been in use since 2022. For seasoned MLB players, this is a whole new ball game.
Spring training is the perfect time to iron out these kinks, well before facing division rivals or playing under the national spotlight. But as Wells learned, social media is always watching. If the first day of spring training is any indication, the pressure will only ramp up when the Yankees face off against the Boston Red Sox on Sunday Night Baseball.