Manfred expects automated strike zone within next 4 years

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said Wednesday that it's only a matter of time before the league adopts some version of an automated strike zone.

"I think you will see some version of the automated strike zone in the big leagues in the next four years," Manfred told "The Dan Patrick Show" on Wednesday. "The technology piece of it is so robust. Literally, the path of the pitches is tracked good to 1/100th of an inch. It's hard to ignore that technology."

Triple-A games have been using a fully automated strike zone since the beginning of the 2023 season. The league was also testing out a challenge system during that time and made the permanent switch to it in June.

"We have decided that we're going to test the challenge version. There's two versions of ABS (automated ball-strike system). One where every pitch gets called in the umpire's ear, and the other that's a challenge system. We're going to test the challenge system in spring training with major-league players."

Manfred's contract runs through the 2028 campaign. He previously said he plans to step down when his deal expires in January 2029.