MLB Notes: Rob Manfred says more rule changes needed to improve pace of play
Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred says more rule changes are needed to improve the pace of play, and one proposal under consideration is a limitation on relief pitching changes in an inning or a game.
The majors shaved several minutes off the average game time last season, but games have been slightly longer in 2016.
“We’ve slipped back a little bit this year, and pace of play is one of those issues where we’re going to continually need to evaluate the rules we have,” Manfred said. “And we’re going to need to continually work with our players to stay focused on the issue.”
Manfred has said he’s in favor of a limitation on relief pitchers but didn’t lobby for it Wednesday.
“We look at all aspects of the game all the time,” he said. “I don’t want to put particular emphasis on that one.”
Manfred spoke at the Phillies’ game at Marlins Park, where he helped unveil the logo for the 2017 All-Star Game. It will be played next July 11, with the Marlins hosting the game in their 25th season.
Rangers acquire Harrell, Alvarez
The A.L. West-leading Texas Rangers have made their first move to get more pitching, acquiring right-handed starter Lucas Harrell and left-handed reliever Dario Alvarez from the Atlanta Braves for an infield prospect.
Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said Texas may not be done shopping for pitching with the non-waiver trading deadline five days away. He said there are still ongoing conversations with other teams but didn’t get into details.
“We’ll see where they go. I can’t really handicap it at this point,” Daniels said. “But yes, that’s still our focus.”
Harrell is 2-2 with a 3.38 ERA in five starts for the Braves since they purchased his contract from Triple-A Gwinnett earlier this month. The 31-year-old sinkerballer pitched in Korea last year after appearing in 88 major league games (62 starts) the previous five seasons for the Chicago White Sox (2010-11) and Houston (2011-14), where he worked with current Rangers pitching coach Doug Brocail.
The Rangers sent 2013 first-round pick Travis Demeritte to Atlanta. They needed a starter for Sunday’s series finale at home against Kansas City, and Daniels said the plan for now is to start Harrell then.
In his last start for the Braves, Harrell threw six scoreless innings Tuesday night in a win at Minnesota.
Clearing the bases
The Washington Nationals placed veteran IF Stephen Drew on the 15-day DL. Manager Dusty Baker said Drew has been experiencing vertigo-like symptoms and the team is sending him back to Washington for more medical tests. … The Chicago White Sox placed 2B Brett Lawrie on the 15-day DL (left hamstring), retroactive to July 22, and recalled IF Carlos Sanchez from Triple-A Chrlotte. … The Colorado Rockies reinstated left-hander Chris Rusin from the 15-day DL to take the spot of righty reliever Jason Motte, who was put on the 15-day DL with a right rotator cuff strain. … Texas Rangers slugger Prince Fielder will have his season-ending surgery Friday to repair a herniated disk in his neck.