Mets’ Brett Baty loses challenge in ABS umpire controversy

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New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza (64) and New York Mets right fielder Brett Baty (7) argue the use of a ABS call during the sixth inning when the New York Mets played the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at Citi Field in Queens, NY.

Jake Nisse

Thu, May 14, 2026 at 1:53 AM UTC ·

2 min read

Brett Baty was involved in a puzzling moment for the Mets in their 3-2, 10-inning win over the Tigers on Wednesday night at Citi Field as he was charged with a phantom ABS challenge.

The third baseman struck out looking in the bottom of the sixth inning and glared in the direction of umpire Junior Valentine before quickly raising his arm in the air.

The gesture fell well short of the required helmet tap to challenge a call, but Valentine nonetheless ruled that Baty had contested the strike, and the pitch was officially reviewed.

Manager Carlos Mendoza and Brett Baty argue the use of a ABS call during the sixth inning of the Mets’ 3-2, 10-inning win over the Tigers on May 13, 2026 at Citi Field. Robert Sabo for NY Post

The called strike was quickly confirmed, as a confused Baty could be seen pleading his case to the umpire.

The bizarre sequence cost the Mets their final challenge of the game, and manager Carlos Mendoza wasted little time entering the field and arguing with Valentine’s interpretation of the moment.

“He saw that he went to the helmet. I think Junior is gonna go back and take a look at the film, and pretty sure he missed it, because he wasn’t even close,” Mendoza said after the game.