Chicago Cubs pitcher Cody Poteet believed the 95 mph fastball he threw to Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Max Muncy was in the strike zone. Plate umpire Tony Randazzo disagreed and called it a ball.

Instead of arguing, Poteet simply patted the top of his cap, signifying he wanted to challenge the call.

After a few seconds, the verdict was ready on the video board in right-center field. Poteet was correct — the pitch was a strike, just catching the bottom of the zone.

“I felt like there was a good, high-percentage chance it was a strike,” Poteet said. “And every strike matters.”

The first test of the Automated Ball-Strike System went off without a hitch Thursday in Glendale, Ariz., with Randazzo quickly reversing the call. Instead of a 1-1 count for Muncy, the batter was in an 0-2 hole and struck out three pitches later.

Poteet played in Triple-A for part of last season, which is where the ABS system was tested, so he was used to the process and laughed at his minor place in baseball history.

“Using it a little last year, it felt more normal,” the pitcher said. “It’s cool to be the one to fire away.”

Muncy couldn’t blame Poteet for challenging the umpire’s call. He thought it was a strike, too.

“I look out and the pitcher seemed very excited to challenge that one,” Muncy said, grinning. “When he challenged it, I knew it would be overturned and was like ‘Aw, man, I’m going to be the first one.’”

Robot umpires have arrived in the big leagues, at least in exhibition games. The Cubs and World Series champion Dodgers opened the spring training schedule with an added wrinkle: Camelback Ranch is among the test sites for the ABS, which could be used in big league regular-season games as soon as 2026.

Human umpires still call every pitch, but each team has the ability to challenge two calls per game, with no additions for extra innings. A team retains its challenge if successful, similar to the regulations for big league teams with video reviews, which were first used for home run calls in August 2008 and widely expanded to many calls for the 2014 season.

Miller hit in head

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Bobby Miller was hit in the head by a line drive on Thursday during the team’s spring training against the Chicago Cubs, but was able to walk off the field.

The scary moment happened in the third inning when Michael Busch ripped a 105.5 mph liner that appeared to hit Miller on the right temple, where the hat meets the head. Miller immediately fell to the ground while holding his head, but quickly got up on his knees as medical staff rushed onto the field.

He exited the game, and was able to walk off the field on his own. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the ball “squared him up pretty good.”

“He’s going to be under concussion protocol,” Roberts said. “We’ll keep an eye on him tonight. I don’t know what that means as far as going forward. Certainly, it’s somewhat of a setback. We’ve got to make sure he feels OK going forward.”

Boone gets extension

Aaron Boone and the New York Yankees agreed Thursday to a two-year contract extension through the 2027 season.

Boone is entering his eighth season as manager. The team had exercised his 2025 option in November.

“No other place I want to be. No other team, organization, group of people that I want to be doing this with,” Boone said. “And to get to do it in New York in front of passionate New York Yankee fans, this is the end result that I certainly wanted and glad it was able to work out.”

Boone has led the Yankees to a 603-429 record, three AL East titles and one pennant. New York reached the World Series last year for the first time since 2009, losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games.

Briefly

Cubs >> Justin Turner finalized a $6 million, one-year contract with the Chicago Cubs and worked out with the team ahead of its first spring training game.

Marlins >> Miami claimed right-handed reliever Seth Martinez off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Media >> ESPN’s coverage of MLB games will conclude at the end of the 2025 season. Both parties agreed to end their national television deal early.