The 2026 MLB season will equip players with the ability to appeal the strike-zone judgments of human home-plate umpires, as the league is introducing the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System.

Players are getting familiar with the use of ABS during Spring Training games and Boston Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu made the best use of the system against the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday.

Abreu worked a 3-2 count against Orioles starter Chris Bassitt in the third inning. The Red Sox outfielder watched a sinker all the way through only for the plate umpire to call it a strike. However, Abreu took off his shin guard and challenged the call in one motion.

He studded towards first base before the replays showed the pitch to be missing the strike zone narrowly. The call was overturned to a ball, and Abreu was awarded first base. The clip of Abreu’s challenge went viral on X, garnering more than 100k views in five hours.

Tarik Skubal, Chris Bassitt not inclined to using ABS

While Abreu made great use of the ABS during Sunday’s game, Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal will reportedly leave the decision to challenge to his catcher unless it’s a glaring call. According to MLB insider Buster Olney:

“Tarik Skubal says he probably won’t challenge calls with the ABS system this year unless it’s an egregious call, right down the middle. He’d rather just leave those decisions to his catchers.”

Skubal won a second consecutive AL Cy Young award after posting a career‑low 2.21 ERA with a 13‑6 record and 241 strikeouts across 195 1/3 innings last season. He is heading into his seventh season with the Tigers in 2026.

Orioles starter Chris Bassitt made his first start for his new team on Sunday. Bassitt who is entering his 12th MLB season, had one of his strike calls reversed by the ABS against the Red Sox. The veteran pitcher reflected on the system after the game.

“From a personal level, I don’t believe that pitchers should ever challenge,” Bassitt said. “Just because we have too much movement.”

Basitt recorded a 3.96 ERA in 31 starts for the Blue Jays last season. He signed a one-year, $18.5 million deal with the Orioles in February.