Chicago Cubs first baseman Eric Hosmer received an automatic strike in a recent game against the Los Angeles Angels after failing to heed the pitch clock.The incident occurred in the top of the fourth inning, with Hosmer taking too long to get ready for the pitch.MLB recently implemented a pitch clock rule, aimed at speeding up the pace of play during games. The clock counts down the time between pitches and requires both pitchers and batters to adhere to the time limit, with exceptions for certain situations. Some players are struggling to adjust to the new rule.Fans took to social media to express their frustration with Hosmer's performance, with some calling him a "slow learner" while another suggested that the new rule "isn't that difficult." Walt Scott@back_smilingHe’s a slow learner… twitter.com/talkinbaseball…Talkin’ Baseball@TalkinBaseball_Eric Hosmer was in the batter's box before the 8-second mark but was not alert to the pitcher which resulted in an automatic strike100129Eric Hosmer was in the batter's box before the 8-second mark but was not alert to the pitcher which resulted in an automatic strike https://t.co/DwWehzJgFEHe’s a slow learner… twitter.com/talkinbaseball…Mike Sullivan@msully5433This really isn’t that difficult… twitter.com/talkinbaseball…Talkin’ Baseball@TalkinBaseball_Eric Hosmer was in the batter's box before the 8-second mark but was not alert to the pitcher which resulted in an automatic strike100229Eric Hosmer was in the batter's box before the 8-second mark but was not alert to the pitcher which resulted in an automatic strike https://t.co/DwWehzJgFEThis really isn’t that difficult… twitter.com/talkinbaseball…Max Fried Stash@MaxFriedstashI'm telling yall there are gonna be more ejections this year over this dumb shit than anything. twitter.com/TalkinBaseball…Talkin’ Baseball@TalkinBaseball_Eric Hosmer was in the batter's box before the 8-second mark but was not alert to the pitcher which resulted in an automatic strike1729Eric Hosmer was in the batter's box before the 8-second mark but was not alert to the pitcher which resulted in an automatic strike https://t.co/DwWehzJgFEI'm telling yall there are gonna be more ejections this year over this dumb shit than anything. twitter.com/TalkinBaseball…Jordan Hachey@Jhach6@MLB fix this! Rob Manfred has ruined the game. I hope to god they figure this out cause if the whole season is going to be like this it’s going to be an absolute joke. twitter.com/TalkinBaseball…Talkin’ Baseball@TalkinBaseball_Eric Hosmer was in the batter's box before the 8-second mark but was not alert to the pitcher which resulted in an automatic strike103733Eric Hosmer was in the batter's box before the 8-second mark but was not alert to the pitcher which resulted in an automatic strike https://t.co/DwWehzJgFE@MLB fix this! Rob Manfred has ruined the game. I hope to god they figure this out cause if the whole season is going to be like this it’s going to be an absolute joke. twitter.com/TalkinBaseball…mark from Tennessee@MD_1962This rule is so stupid but that’s the way it is and I will get used to it .. eventually twitter.com/talkinbaseball…Talkin’ Baseball@TalkinBaseball_Eric Hosmer was in the batter's box before the 8-second mark but was not alert to the pitcher which resulted in an automatic strike333Eric Hosmer was in the batter's box before the 8-second mark but was not alert to the pitcher which resulted in an automatic strike https://t.co/DwWehzJgFEThis rule is so stupid but that’s the way it is and I will get used to it .. eventually twitter.com/talkinbaseball…Another baseball enthusiast straight up criticized the gameplay incident, stating that Hosmer was in the box at the 8 second mark and still got struck out.Neil Nagle@neilnagle22In the box at 8 second mark and still gets a strike called on him. Baseball is being ruined right in front of our eyes. JOKE! twitter.com/talkinbaseball…Talkin’ Baseball@TalkinBaseball_Eric Hosmer was in the batter's box before the 8-second mark but was not alert to the pitcher which resulted in an automatic strike133Eric Hosmer was in the batter's box before the 8-second mark but was not alert to the pitcher which resulted in an automatic strike https://t.co/DwWehzJgFEIn the box at 8 second mark and still gets a strike called on him. Baseball is being ruined right in front of our eyes. JOKE! twitter.com/talkinbaseball…Various fans critiqued Hosmer for not understanding the rule.E. Goldie@emgolds22It’s embarrassing how many of these guys don’t seem to know the rules. He points at his feet in the box like that’s what matters. twitter.com/talkinbaseball…Talkin’ Baseball@TalkinBaseball_Eric Hosmer was in the batter's box before the 8-second mark but was not alert to the pitcher which resulted in an automatic strike233Eric Hosmer was in the batter's box before the 8-second mark but was not alert to the pitcher which resulted in an automatic strike https://t.co/DwWehzJgFEIt’s embarrassing how many of these guys don’t seem to know the rules. He points at his feet in the box like that’s what matters. 😂 twitter.com/talkinbaseball…Hockey Is All (38-35-8)@Hockey_Is_AllHe had 22 seconds, it’s hosmer’s fault. twitter.com/talkinbaseball…Talkin’ Baseball@TalkinBaseball_Eric Hosmer was in the batter's box before the 8-second mark but was not alert to the pitcher which resulted in an automatic strike103833Eric Hosmer was in the batter's box before the 8-second mark but was not alert to the pitcher which resulted in an automatic strike https://t.co/DwWehzJgFEHe had 22 seconds, it’s hosmer’s fault. twitter.com/talkinbaseball…Then there were people who criticized Rob Manfred regarding his policies, stating that his rule was to make a joke out of the game.MeIsWesley@weszmarshYeaaaaaaaaaa this pitch clock shit is gonna backfire on Rob Manfred completely twitter.com/talkinbaseball…Talkin’ Baseball@TalkinBaseball_Eric Hosmer was in the batter's box before the 8-second mark but was not alert to the pitcher which resulted in an automatic strike103833Eric Hosmer was in the batter's box before the 8-second mark but was not alert to the pitcher which resulted in an automatic strike https://t.co/DwWehzJgFEYeaaaaaaaaaa this pitch clock shit is gonna backfire on Rob Manfred completely twitter.com/talkinbaseball…It remains to be seen how the new pitch clock rule will impact the game and players' performances as the season progresses.Eric Hosmer signed a one-year deal with the Chicago CubsChicago Cubs Photo Day: Eric Hosmer (51) of the Chicago Cubs poses for a portrait during photo day at Sloan Park on February 23, 2023, in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)In January 2023, Eric Hosmer signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Cubs. He had previously played for the Kansas City Royals (2011–2017), San Diego Padres (2018–2022), and the Boston Red Sox (2022).Chicago Cubs@CubsThe #Cubs today agreed to terms with 1B Eric Hosmer on a one-year major league contract.Welcome, @TheRealHos305!1878186The #Cubs today agreed to terms with 1B Eric Hosmer on a one-year major league contract.Welcome, @TheRealHos305! https://t.co/csog4ZwYAL"The Cubs today agreed to terms with 1B Eric Hosmer on a one-year major league contract." - Chicago CubsAs the Cubs try to exit their current rebuilding period, Hosmer adds depth to the squad and experience to the field. Righty Mark Leiter Jr. was designated for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Hosmer.