Commissioner Rob Manfred’s ambitious vision for baseball’s future continues pushing boundaries, with sweeping changes that have players like Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal and Los Angeles Dodgers stars questioning their voice in the sport they play. The league’s relentless march toward modernization faces resistance from unexpected corners, as tradition clashes with technology in ways that strike at baseball’s very soul.

The latest battleground centers on the Automated Ball-Strike challenge system, which made its high-profile debut at the 2025 All-Star Game and now stands poised for full implementation in 2026. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred is set to propose implementing the ABS challenge system in the major leagues in 2026, creating a seismic shift that has even the sport’s highest-paid stars grappling with mixed emotions. Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith, who agreed to a 10-year, $140 million contract extension in March 2024, finds himself at the center of this technological revolution.

Smith’s conflicted thoughts reveal the complex reality facing today’s players. “I have so many mixed feelings about it,” he admits, capturing the internal struggle between wanting accurate calls and preserving baseball’s human element. The All-Star catcher articulates the dilemma perfectly: “As a big leader, as a player, you want every call correct, right? You don’t want to get screwed on an umpire missing a call.”

Yet his attachment to tradition runs deeper. “I’ve always liked that about baseball, where you can get a bad call and you just have to deal with it,” Smith explains, emphasizing how the game mirrors life itself. His concerns extend beyond the major leagues: “Kids watch our game, right? And literally all of a sudden they’re throwing to a box and they don’t have ABS and they don’t see us dealing with a bad call or a good call.”

Will Smith’s thoughtful ambivalence stands in sharp contrast to the more direct approach from across the league.  Meanwhile, Skubal’s response cuts straight to the heart of player frustration with league decision-making. “If the rule is coming, it doesn’t matter what I feel like,” the Tigers pitcher stated bluntly. “You have to make adjustments. It’s the same thing with the pitch clock and not being able to shift anymore. It doesn’t matter what players feel like. We don’t have much say in our own game.”

His resigned acceptance reflects a broader sentiment among players who feel increasingly disconnected from decisions shaping their profession, watching helplessly as Manfred’s vision transforms the sport they’ve dedicated their lives to mastering. Yet while debates about baseball’s future rage on, teams must navigate the immediate challenges that determine their present success.

Dodgers Bullpen Gets a Major Boost as Division Race Heats Up

While players debate baseball’s technological future, the present demands immediate action on the field. The Los Angeles Dodgers just received the reinforcement they desperately needed, activating relief pitcher Kirby Yates from the injured list ahead of Saturday night’s crucial battle against the Padres. Blake Snell moves to the paternity list to create roster space, capping a weekend where Los Angeles welcomed back two key arms.

Friday brought Tanner Scott’s return, and now Yates rejoins the mix for what’s becoming the most pivotal series of the season. The Dodgers’ bullpen stats tell a deceiving story – their 3.53 ERA ranks fourth in baseball, but the headline names haven’t delivered. Yates, Scott, and Lou Trivino all carry ERAs above four while battling various injuries throughout the campaign.

The timing couldn’t be better with the Dodgers and Padres deadlocked atop the NL West. San Diego grabbed Friday’s opener 2-1, but LA still holds the season series tiebreaker. What makes this weekend even more critical? These division rivals won’t see each other again during the final month of regular-season play.

Saturday’s 5:40 p.m. MST first pitch carries enormous weight. The Dodgers and Padres sit tied atop the NL West after San Diego captured Friday’s 2-1 opener. Los Angeles maintains the season series advantage, but these division rivals won’t meet again during September’s final stretch. Michael Kopech could potentially join the bullpen party soon, according to reports, giving the Dodgers even more October ammunition.