Jimmy Rollins
No Go On Robo Umps
… ABS Challenge System As Far As MLB Should Push It!!!
Published September 29, 2025 12:30 AM PDT
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TMZSports.com
Jimmy Rollins says the MLB should “never” adopt full-time robot umps … telling TMZ Sports this week the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System is as far as the league should take things.
We caught up with the former Philadelphia Phillies superstar out at LAX last week just after Rob Manfred revealed the ABS Challenge System will be implemented in 2026, and he told us he really likes the move.
The ex-World Series champ said “it’s a good thing,” as it’ll help umps get calls right when they matter the most.
If you missed it, the new rules will allow teams to challenge two calls per game — and even more if they’re successful. Some have wondered if the league should eventually move to the ABS system full time if it shows promise next year.
But Rollins made it clear he hopes the use of robots stops at this point.
Like it or not, though, robots are coming to a Big League diamond near you in at least some capacity in just a few months.
