Chicago Cubs pitcher Marcus Stroman is getting used to Major League Baseball’s new pitch clock. And it’s no small deal for the 31-year-old right-hander, who has been in the majors for almost a decade.
“It’s tough, this pitch clock. It’s a big adjustment,” he said.
Stroman committed MLB’s first regular-season pitch-clock violation in the third inning of the Cubs’ 4-0 home win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday, opening day for all 30 teams in the majors.
Stroman took a long look at rookie Brice Turang leading off second base with no outs and Christian Yelich batting at Wrigley Field. Just as Stroman turned his attention back to Yelich, plate umpire Ron Kulpa called the violation. Kulpa pointed to his wrist in announcing the call, and the automatic ball made it a 2-2 count against Yelich.
Stroman didn’t argue.