Stroman opens with clock first

Marcus Stroman is getting used to Major League Baseball’s new pitch clock. And it’s no small deal for the right-hander.

“It’s tough, this pitch clock. It’s a big adjustment,” he said.

Stroman committed baseball’s first regular-season pitch-clock violation in the third inning of the Chicago Cubs’ 4-0 victory over Milwaukee on Thursday on opening day.

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-and-2 count against Yelich. Stroman didn’t argue.

“You got to be looking at the clock. You’re trying to worry about the pitch. You’re trying to worry about the guys on base. You’re trying to worry about your grip,” Stroman said. “There’s so many things going on now.

“So it definitely adds another layer to the game that’s tough, to be honest with you. It’s definitely not easy to be a pitcher out there and to feel rushed at times.”

Several more violations followed on the first day of regular-season games since MLB introduced a slate of rules changes this season — including a clock for a sport that famously existed for decades without any timers.

■ Boston Red Sox star slugger Rafael Devers earned an unpleasant spot in the league’s record books as the first batter to strike out via violation. Devers was looking down and kicking debris off his cleats in the eighth inning when Lance Barksdale signaled a violation that resulted in strike three. “There’s no excuse,” Boston manager Alex Cora said. “They know the rules.”

■ J.D. Davis of the San Francisco Giants became the first hitter called for a pitch-clock violation in any count during the ninth inning of a game at Yankee Stadium. Meanwhile in Washington, Atlanta Braves reliever Collin McHugh put his arms out wide after being called for a violation by umpire Dan Bellino in the eighth inning against Washington. That put batter Jeimer Candelario ahead 1-0, and McHugh followed with three more balls — a three-pitch walk, essentially. “I didn’t even realize it happened, quite honestly,” Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said. “It’s going to happen.”

Notables

Aaron Judge rang in opening day the same way he marked many nights last season: with a home run. In his first game as New York Yankees captain, Judge hit a solo drive in the first inning off San Francisco's Logan Webb on Thursday, a 422-foot shot into the netting above Monument Park in centre field.

■ The New York Mets placed Justin Verlander on the injured list with a strained upper back muscle on opening day, sidelining the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner before his first appearance with the team. The Mets announced that Verlander has a low-grade teres major strain a few hours before beginning the season against the Miami Marlins on Thursday. Verlander will continue throwing at moderate intensity and will undergo more scans in a week.

■ The Colorado Rockies placed closer Daniel Bard on the 10-day injured list because of anxiety. The move came a few hours before their opener against the San Diego Padres. The Rockies filled his spot by calling up right-hander Jake Bird. Bard said he has had anxiety both on and off the field. “From my experience, knowing myself, I think just taking a step back, taking time to work through things, get it right, is the best approach,” he said. There is no timeline for his return.

■ Jacob deGrom had a rough debut for the Texas Rangers, who bailed out their prized acquisition with a big comeback. The two-time National League Cy Young Award winner who signed a $185-million, five-year contract in December struck out the first batter he faced on three pitches Thursday and finished with seven strikeouts. But while he was throwing plenty of strikes, as he did during nine outstanding seasons with the New York Mets, the right-hander gave up five runs and six extra-base hits over 3 ⅔ innings against the NL champion Philadelphia Phillies in the season opener before the Rangers rallied for an 11-7 victory.