Commissioner Rob Manfred has been hinting that pitch clocks are going to be used in spring training games, as a possible prelude to be in regular-season games this year. I asked him about this at his Tuesday news conference, and as usual, he was noncommittal about whether MLB would unilaterally institute them (as is their contractual right, he emphasized) if players and management can’t reach a deal.
Now, we have some details as to how those clocks are going to work in practice:
The use of a 20-second pitch clock for spring training games is going to be announced today, league sources tell ESPN, and the rule will include ball-or-strike penalties for violations after an easing-in period early in the spring.