DUNEDIN, Fla. — J.T. Realmuto couldn't believe his ears.
Reliever Craig Kimbrel had just been called for a pitch-clock violation in the bottom of the fourth inning of a Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays. Kimbrel asked for a new baseball. Realmuto, the Phillies' catcher, reached back for a replacement from home plate umpire Randy Rosenberg. Then Realmuto saw Kimbrel's eyes raise to the sky. He figured Rosenberg had thrown Kimbrel the new ball himself, so Realmuto retracted his glove.
Next thing he knew, Rosenberg was throwing him out. Miscommunication, Realmuto claims.
