BALTIMORE — The Yankees and Red Sox might be done playing each other this regular season, but they’re still fighting.
A rivalry that has seen almost everything over the years now includes sign-stealing — and Boston almost certainly will be penalized by the Commissioner.
The Yankees accused the Red Sox of using electronics to steal signs during a series at Fenway Park last month and the Yankees sent video to the league revealing the actions, according to sources.
The Red Sox admitted to the wrongdoing after an investigation by MLB, which was first reported Tuesday by the New York Times.
“The Red Sox have been 100 percent fully cooperative with us in this investigation,’’ MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said Tuesday at a previously scheduled press conference at Fenway Park.
In response to the Yankees’ actions, the Red Sox filed a counter-complaint that the Yankees have used YES Network cameras to spy on them, as well — which Joe Girardi adamantly denied.
In the Yankees’ complaint, they alleged members of the Red Sox’ training staff relayed information from video personnel to players using an Apple Watch.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman sent the league a clip from the first two games of the Yankees’ Aug. 18-20 series in Boston.
The video, according to the report, showed trainer Jon Jochim, who received the information on his Apple Watch while he sat in the dugout, passing the information to Brock Holt and Dustin Pedroia, who in at least one instance passed the information to ex-Yankee Chris Young.
“I’m not going to comment on what’s been written or any of that, but this has been a concern of mine for a long time,” Girardi said before the Yankees faced the Orioles at Camden Yards.
Manfred acknowledged an “ongoing investigation” involving both teams.
“What I can tell you is this: I take any issue that affects the play of the game on the field extremely seriously,” Manfred said. “I do believe that this is a charged situation from a competitive perspective when you have the kind of rivalry that the Yankees and the Red Sox have, I guess it’s not shocking you could have charges and countercharges like this. We will conduct a thorough investigation of the charges on both sides. I want to do that quickly. I think that’s important that we get it resolved.’’
Boston claimed to the league that manager John Farrell, general manager Dave Dombrowski and other top members of the organization were not aware of the scheme.
“[I’m] aware of the rule that electronic devices are not to be used in the dugout, but beyond that the only thing I can say is that it’s a league matter at this point,” Farrell said at Fenway.
MLB rules don’t prohibit stealing signs, but do prohibit using electronics to do so.
“We assume that everyone’s doing it, just to protect ourselves,” Girardi said. “Now, I’m not saying that everyone is doing it. But I think, as a team, that everyone tries to do something.”
Asked if the Yankees were included, Girardi said: “You can assume what you want.”
MLB has determined no players will be disciplined and Manfred indicated the Red Sox would not vacate any victories.
Some Yankees said they were not shocked by news of the investigation.
“It was something we suspected was going on,” Brett Gardner said. “I don’t want to say I was suspicious. I think there’s certain teams over the course of a season or a series or two seasons, teams that maybe have a higher average against you or hit a lot better against you with runners in scoring position, things like that.’’
Chase Headley said he heard “rumblings” of impropriety during the series.
“There’s a line that can be crossed on how you do that,” Headley said. “The technologically aspect is the biggest thing. It’s a fine line. There’s so many cameras out there and so much information available. It’s how you use it. I don’t think anyone’s surprised.”
But neither he nor Girardi believed it would add fuel to the rivalry between the teams.
“Do I think it’s right? No,” Headley said. “But do I want to beat the Red Sox more now? No.”
The issue isn’t just a matter of being unfair, it also involves pace of play, which the sport is trying to address.
“I think electronics makes things easier, more accessible and more dangerous,’’ said Girardi, who added that electronics could speed things up. “If you can use electronics for other things, I think you ought to be able to use them somehow in the game to communicate where just a few people know it.”
And the manager categorically denied that the Yankees had used YES Network cameras to cheat against the Red Sox.
“No chance,” Girardi said. “We’re being accused of looking over the camera well, I think. The guy gave signs that [first-base coach] Tony Pena could see, too. I’m just saying no, we’re not doing that.”