Pirates Infielder Learns Lesson on Automated Ball-Strike Challenge

Nick Gonzales tried to back out of an ABS challenge, but the umpire refused to let him.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 2:37am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball player at the plate, the pitch, and the umpire's call broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape, conveying the fragmented and complex nature of the new automated strike zone technology.The new automated ball-strike system in Major League Baseball forces players to carefully consider their challenges, as there are no take-backs once the process is initiated.Gonzales Today

In a game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs, Pirates infielder Nick Gonzales took a pitch from Cubs reliever Caleb Thielbar that appeared to be off the plate. Gonzales immediately challenged the strike call made by home plate umpire Roberto Ortiz, but then quickly tried to wave off the challenge. However, Ortiz refused to let Gonzales back out of the challenge, and the automated ball-strike (ABS) system ultimately showed the pitch was indeed off the plate, giving Gonzales another chance at the at-bat.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the growing pains teams and players are experiencing as Major League Baseball implements the new automated ball-strike system. It shows that umpires will strictly enforce the ABS challenge rules, even if a player tries to change their mind, which is an important lesson for all teams to learn early in the season.

The details

In the top of the seventh inning with one out, Gonzales took a 94 mph fastball from Thielbar that appeared to be off the plate. Umpire Ortiz called it strike three, but Gonzales immediately challenged the call, tapping his helmet. However, Gonzales then seemed to change his mind and waved towards Ortiz, but the umpire refused to let him back out of the challenge. The ABS system ultimately showed the pitch was more than an inch off the plate, giving Gonzales another chance in the at-bat, though he would eventually fly out to left field.

  • In the top of the seventh inning with one out
  • On an 0-2 pitch

The players

Nick Gonzales

A Pittsburgh Pirates infielder who challenged a strike call but then tried to back out of the challenge, only to be denied by the umpire.

Caleb Thielbar

A Chicago Cubs left-handed reliever who threw the pitch that Gonzales challenged.

Roberto Ortiz

The home plate umpire who refused to let Gonzales back out of the challenge, despite the player's attempt to do so.

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What’s next

Teams and players will need to continue adjusting to the new automated ball-strike system, learning that there are no take-backs once a challenge is initiated, even if a player changes their mind.

The takeaway

This incident serves as an important early-season lesson for MLB teams and players about the strict enforcement of the new automated ball-strike challenge rules. It highlights the growing pains the league is experiencing as it transitions to this new technology, and shows that umpires will not allow players to back out of challenges, even if they have second thoughts.