Umpire Carlos Torres caused a massive stir on Sunday by blocking ABS challenges. MLB’s new 2026 review system was supposed to fix bad calls, but Torres’ strict enforcement of the timing rules has fans calling for his job.

“This is the second time today HP umpire Carlos Torres has denied an ABS challenge. Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers tapped his mask after Orioles’ Taylor Ward walked in the 1st, but there was no review granted,” MLB insider Matt Weyrich shared via X.

The first incident happened in the first inning. The A’s Luis Severino started the game on Sunday. In his third strike, Severino’s nasty sinker took a little turn and went to the catcher’s gloves, touching the strike zone’s borderline. Home plate umpire Carlos Torres called it a ball, and Ward started to walk to first base. However, if we check the footage closely, it shows that just as Torres called it a ball, the A’s catcher Shea Langeliers tapped his mask.

Langeliers stood still in shock, and the A’s manager was making some expressions from the dugout. Nothing changed except a strike. “Shea Langeliers tried to challenge, and Carlos Torres didn’t grant it because it didn’t happen immediately.” MLB’s broadcasting booth was also left in surprise.

The drama did not end there. Another umpiring blunder caught the eye in the third inning. Same story as above, but this time the Orioles were at the receiving end.

The Orioles’ catcher, Samuel Basallo, called for a review involving a ball call, but he was denied. Why? Basallo called for a review without throwing the ball around the horn. The decision clearly didn’t sit well with the Orioles. Manager Craig Albernaz stormed out of the dugout to argue with Torres. He eventually gave up and was walking back to the bench. However, as soon as he got there, Torres tossed Orioles infield coach Miguel Cairo out of the game.

Cairo was furious with the decision and tried to rush in, but Albernaz held him back physically to stop things from escalating.

In both cases, the umpire didn’t approve a review call. But despite not approving an ABS review, Oriole Park’s jumbotrone showed how the A’s catcher was right in calling for a review. After that, fans took to social media to show their frustrations against Torres.

MLB fans called out the umpires

How could MLB continue with Carlos Torres despite his repeated blunders? Fans wonder.

“Ump needs to be suspended. Why do these guys think anyone cares about them? They’re as important to the game as the foul pole,” one fan said. “Looks like the ump needs some time off,” another added.

MLB’s official rule states that players must trigger a challenge immediately. If they do not alert the umpire to a potential challenge within roughly two seconds of the call, the request will be denied. Torres clearly felt the players waited too long. But for the fans and coaches, it felt like the umpire was just trying to control the game.

Still, the MLB is unlikely to take action against the umpire.

A few fans took a more drastic approach. “Fire the umpire on the spot,” one user remarked. “Orioles and Athletics need to report him to the League office,” another added.

MLB has several examples where it took corrective actions against the umpires. For instance, following years of historically low accuracy rankings, including in 2023, Angel Hernandez reached a financial settlement to retire immediately in May 2024 after a 30-year career. Moreover, umpire Bob Davidson was suspended for one game for his conduct during a game, which included aggressively screaming and arguing during a game.

Examples are there. But if Carlos Torres strictly followed that two-second clock to deny the challenges, MLB won’t punish him. “Ump show,” one fan added.

The strike call in the first inning could have helped the A’s to complete the Orioles’ inning faster. Call it an umpire show, MLB is still officiated by human umpires. ABS brings accuracy, but when it comes to a diamond, an umpire is the face who runs the place.