MLB will test pitch clock in spring training

Major League Baseball has yet to commit to a pitch clock during the regular season, but they’re going to test it in spring training ahead of possible implementation.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said Sunday that the pitch clock will be used during spring training, and he is still negotiating with the players in hopes of using it with their backing during the regular season.

Rob Manfred says there will be a pitch clock in spring training to prepare for the regular season. In spring training, he said, "You will see pitch clocks in those games."

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 17, 2019

Manfred said he is not committing to a pitch clock in the regular season at this point, but he can unilaterally implement it. He said he wants to come to an agreement with the players. Using it in spring training does not necessarily mean MLB will do so in the regular season.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 17, 2019

Manfred has made pace of play one of his signature issues and has taken significant steps to try and speed games up already. A pitch clock, while likely to be hated by some players, is a relatively clean, unobtrusive way to do more.