If Major League Baseball’s slew of rules changes implemented this season were aimed at speeding up the game and attracting younger fans, an early consequence seems to be that older players are having a harder time adjusting to them.

An “old dog, new tricks” sort of affirmation, if there ever was one.

Just looking for now at one of our two ball clubs in New York, some aging members of the Mets’ pitching staff — the oldest in the league with an average age of 31.9 — appear to be having issues adjusting to the new pitch clock, as detailed in this interesting column last week by colleague Jon Heyman.

Max Scherzer bounced back nicely from two worrisome starts to open his age-38 campaign, allowing one hit and three walks to the Padres over five shutout innings in the Mets’ 5-0 win Monday night over the Padres at Citi Field.