OK, I get all the lecturing on never go ahead without a lineup card, and I agree with that if the lineup rules are expected to be enforced by the book.
But, in the moment as described in the OP, you have no ideal solution. Your only real choice, since it was stated that each team is managing their own lineup, is to consider the team's book as official, just as if it was in your pocket.
Examine the book. That would settle the "announced" or "unannounced" question. Since the PU is not keeping a lineup, telling the PU is not announcing anything.
If the notation in the book is for a CR, it is an illegal substitute.
If the notation is for a pinch runner, no penalty.
If there is no notation, it is an unannounced illegal substitute, since the coach verbally stated it was a CR.
Again... this is my view on how the situation presented should have been handled once the plate meeting went as it did.
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Tom
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