MLB apologizes for puzzling strike call in opener

MIAMI — The Mets received a clarification and apology Friday on the mysterious strike call against Jeff McNeil a day earlier.

McNeil was charged with a strike by plate umpire Larry Vanover — as part of MLB’s new rules — according to manager Buck Showalter because Pete Alonso was slow returning to first base between pitches after running. Showalter said he was later informed by a league official that a strike shouldn’t have been charged to McNeil.

In the future, Showalter said players will be warned by the umpire if they are slow returning to the base.

“When I refereed basketball, it’s called preventive officiating, where you go, ‘Hey, get out of the lane,’ instead of blowing the whistle,”

Showalter said before the Mets lost 2-1 to the Marlins. “If they keep doing it you pop them.”

Adding to the confusion, Alonso was later told by Vanover, according to Showalter, that he wasn’t the cause of the strike called on McNeil — who delivered a single on the next pitch. “By the time Pete got around third base there was another version out there,” Showalter said. “[League officials] wanted to make sure everybody was straight, so I appreciate that.”

Showalter’s expectation is that umpires will show leniency on pace of game issues unless there are blatant offenders.

➤ Tommy Pham started in left field with Mark Canha in the DH spot as Showalter unveiled his first lineup against a lefty starter. The manager indicated he may use Pham in the outfield against lefties so he can give his starters a break. Brandon Nimmo and Starling Marte would also stand to receive starts at DH under that arrangement.

➤ Tommy Hunter pitched two scoreless innings in relief and John Curtiss surrendered a homer in the eighth to

Jazz Chisholm Jr. Showalter said the plan going in was to avoid using any of the relievers (Drew Smith, Brooks

Raley and David Robertson) who had pitched the previous day. Showalter will have all three on Saturday, along with

Adam Ottavino, Dennis

Santana and Stephen Nogosek, who haven’t pitched yet.