During an exhibition victory over the Marlins, Mets right-hander Carlos Carrasco was twice called for delays due to the pitch clock. However, despite the frustrating experience, he hopes to emerge better for it.
The delays added a ball to the count in each instance. In the first instance, Carrasco had trouble hearing catcher Francisco Alvarez’s call through the PitchCom.
Carrasco was unaware that he could alert the umpire about such a malfunction and get the clock stopped. He said, “I couldn’t hear [the PitchCom] that well, sometimes going on and off.
When something happens like that, I can call to the umpire, ‘PitchCom,’ and I can step off.” In the second instance, Carrasco wanted to throw a curveball, but Alvarez was slow in signaling that pitch.
The PitchCom Signaling Device and Pitch Clock Delays
The pitch clock delay left Carrasco considering wearing the PitchCom signaling device on his glove. This would allow him to call the pitch to the catcher when needed, much like Max Scherzer has employed during spring training.
Carrasco stated, “I think it’s way better when I have a pitch in mind so I can just call it.” Despite the pitch clock delays, Carrasco allowed only one earned run on two hits over four innings with seven strikeouts and one walk.
Mets Claim Right-Handed Reliever Dennis Santana Off Waivers
The Mets claimed right-handed reliever Dennis Santana off waivers from the Twins. Santana spent last season with the Rangers and appeared in 63 games with a 5.22 ERA.
He previously pitched for the Dodgers. Manager Buck Showalter said, “People think highly of him, and we’re going to add him to the mix.”
Showalter Takes Entire Team on Gulf Coast Trip
Showalter plans to take the entire team on a two-game trip to Florida’s Gulf Coast next week to face the Braves and Rays. The games will occur after the World Baseball Classic concludes.
Showalter stated, “Usually that west coast trip, we would leave some guys back here, but I think we are going to take everybody with us. We haven’t been together much, and I think we need to get the team together for an old-fashioned road trip.”
Pitch Clock vs. Three-Batter Rule: Buck Showalter Weighs In
The addition of the pitch clock has left Showalter curious as to why the three-batter rule remains in effect.
The rule, which says a reliever entering a game must face at least three batters (unless the inning concludes first), was instituted to help speed up the game, but the pitch clock has superseded it. Showalter commented, “Maybe that will change, but not this year,” referring to the three-batter rule.
»Carlos Carrasco’s Pitch Clock Hell: Mets Right-Hander Shares Experience and Potential Solutions«
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