As spring training goes on, major league pitchers continue to experiment with the changes in the game as influenced by the role of the pitch clock. Mets starter Justin Verlander experienced how to work with mound traction while also honoring the pitch clock during his outing on Friday.
“I found myself trying to kick some mud out and fix the mound,” Verlander said. “The pitch clock was still running, so I didn’t know how to address that.”
Verlander added that umpires continue to adjust to the rules as well. C.B. Bucknor worked home plate on Friday and communicated with Verlander on how these new scenarios operate.
“[CB] actually said he didn’t know,” Verlander added. “They haven’t addressed that either. As common sense, he said let me know and you’ll have the time you need. It’s a good mound. You don’t want to slip and hurt yourself or give up a home run if it’s fixable.”
Common sense stood out as Verlander’s theme of how players, umpires and league officials can continue to adapt to the impact of the pitch clock. “There’s going to be a lot of little things like that with the new rules," Verlander said. "They’re making adjustments quickly on their side."
In his outing, the 40-year-old pitcher tossed 3.1 innings, surrendering just one run with three hits and five strikeouts against the Houston Astros.