Trea Turner trolls Max Scherzer using ABS system during Blue Jays spring training game

Earlier this spring, Max Scherzer raised some eyebrows when he spoke out against the new Automatic Ball-Strike system that MLB has implemented for all spring training games.

Scherzer is a future Hall of Famer and one of the best pitchers in the history of baseball, so it makes sense that people in the baseball world would listen to what he had to say.

And he found that out on Sunday — just in a way he likely didn't expect.

The Blue Jays faced off against the Phillies Sunday in a Grapefruit League spring training game, where he faced off against Phillies' shortstop Trea Turner, who was Scherzer's teammate on the Nationals and Dodgers.

And Scherzer, like he's done throughout his MLB career, pumped a fastball over the middle for a first pitch strike.

A pitch that Turner immediately challenged, much to Scherzer's surprise.

“I don’t think he realized that I challenged it,” Turner said, per MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. “And then we were just laughing. It was good. In the regular season, it would really piss him off. But now he's kind of faking his little act. But I knew. I just wanted to see his eyes roll. That's what I was going for.”

The pitch had barely hit catcher Alejandro Kirk's glove before Turner tapped the top of his head (the sign to challenge a call), which made it clear that Turner's challenge attempt was a troll attempt.

“Just some good heat going on behind the scenes there,” Scherzer said, per Zolecki. “Trea and I, we’re good friends, so we’ll have a laugh.

“They’re just messing with me. There was a lot of stuff going on behind the scenes there. I can’t take these at-bats seriously. These are practice games going against good friends of mine. Too many good stories together and Trea is obviously one of my favorite teammates of all time.”

Turner ended his day 0-for-3 before he was pulled, while Scherzer struck out four in 3 2/3 innings in his second spring start.

The ABS system allows for either the batter, pitcher or catcher to challenge a ball or strike call. Each team gets two challenges a game, but gets to keep a challenge if the call is reversed in their favor.

It's been in Triple-A in some form since 2022, but this is the first time that career major leaguers like Scherzer and Turner are getting a chance to use it.

And even if the system is new to them, it's clear from Turner's actions that they've already figured out a way to have fun with it.