NEW YORK — New York Yankees utilityman José Caballero must appear “alert” and engaged with the pitcher when the pitch clock strikes eight seconds — otherwise, umpires and opponents might continue to have a problem with his pre-pitch routine.That’s according to Yankees manager Aaron Boone, who said Major League Baseball issued the new guidance over a phone call Monday night — a day after Caballero drew the ire of Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider. The dispute was the latest in a season-long beef between Caballero and pitchers and plate umpires.“Just make sure you’re alert,” Boone said before Tuesday’s game against the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium.“Some might interpret looking up as not being alert. So, making sure that he’s looking up with plenty of time to be alert by eight seconds.”Caballero spent several minutes arguing with home-plate umpire Steven Jaschinski over his insistence on waiting until the pitch clock struck eight seconds to engage with the pitcher during the sixth inning of the Yankees’ 8-3 win Sunday in Toronto. Jaschinski even issued Caballero an “intentional delay” warning over the team’s public address system.MLB first instituted the pitch clock in 2023, and ever since, hitters have had until the eight-second mark to acknowledge the pitcher. If the hitter doesn’t do it, the umpire is supposed to penalize him with a strike. The pitch clock is 15 seconds with the bases empty, and 18 seconds with runners on base.