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NEW YORK -- Major League Baseball plans to use its robot umpire technology for ball-strike challenges in Tuesday's All-Star Game at Atlanta, another step toward possible regular-season use next season.
MLB said Wednesday it intends to make the All-Star announcement today.
Teams won 52.2% of their ball/strike challenges during the spring training test, with 617 of 1,182 challenges successful in the 288 exhibition games using the Automated Ball-Strike System. ABS was installed at 13 spring training ballparks hosting 19 teams, and an animation of the pitch was shown on video boards displaying the challenge result for spectators to see.
Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said last month that the ABS system was likely to be considered for regular-season use by the 11-man competition committee, which includes six management representatives.
"I do think that we're going to pursue the possibility of change in that process and we'll see what comes out at the end of that," he said. "The teams are really positive about ABS. I do have that unscientific system that I use: my email traffic. And my distinct impression is that using ABS in spring training has made people more prone to complain of balls and strike calls via email to me referencing the need for ABS."
During the 2024 regular season, 10.9% of called pitches in the strike zone were ruled balls and 6.3% of called pitches outside of the strike zone were ruled strikes, according to MLB Statcast.
MLB has been experimenting with the automated ball-strike system in the minor leagues since 2019.
Elsewhere in MLB:
n The Detroit Tigers now have five All-Stars, tying them with the Dodgers for the most in the majors. Zach McKinstry was added Wednesday, replacing injured Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena. McKinstry joins teammates Gleyber Torres, Javier Baez, Riley Greene and pitcher Tarik Skubal. Meanwhile, Houston's Isaac Paredes replaces Cleveland's José Ramírez, giving the Astros four All-Stars. Other All-Star replacements include Reds pitcher Andrew Abbott for the Dodgers' Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tampa Bay's Junior Caminero for Boston's Alex Bregman.
n Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson avoided a serious injury after being hit on the hand during Tuesday's game against the Braves. X-rays showed no broken bones, but his participation in the All-Star Game remains uncertain. Manager Mark Kotsay says Wilson is day-to-day and experiencing soreness but can hold a bat. Wilson, a rookie All-Star starter, is batting .335 with nine home runs and 42 RBIs this season.
n DJ LeMahieu has been cut by the New York Yankees with almost $22 million remaining on his contract, one day after the two-time batting champion got demoted to the bench. LeMahieu, who turns 37 on Sunday, was designated for assignment and fellow infielder Jorbit Vivas was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. A three-time All-Star, LeMahieu was batting .266 with two homers, 12 RBIs and a .674 OPS. He made his season debut May 13 after recovering from a left calf strain.
n Joe Coleman, a lanky right-hander who won 142 games in 15 major league seasons and was an All-Star in 1972 with Detroit, has died. He was 78. Casey Coleman said his father died in his sleep Wednesday morning in Jamestown, Tennessee. Coleman became the No. 3 pick in baseball's inaugural amateur draft in 1965 when he was selected by the Washington Senators. He enjoyed his greatest individual success with the Tigers, going 88-73 with a 3.82 ERA from 1971-76. Coleman's father, also named Joe, pitched in the majors from 1942-55. Casey Coleman pitched in the majors from 2010-14 with the Cubs and Royals.