MLB brings in pitchless intentional walks

NEW YORK — There won’t be any wild pitches on intentional walks this season.

The players’ association has agreed to Major League Baseball’s proposal to have intentional walks without pitches this year.

“It doesn’t seem like that big of a deal. I know they’re trying to cut out some of the fat. I’m OK with that,” Cleveland manager Terry Francona said.

While the union has resisted many of MLB’s proposed innovations, such as raising the bottom of the strike zone, installing pitch clocks and limiting trips to the mound, players are willing to accept the intentional walk change.

“As part of a broader discussion with other moving pieces, the answer is yes,” union head Tony Clark said Wednesday. “There are details, as part of that discussion, that are still being worked through, however.”

“I’m OK with it. You signal. I don’t think that’s a big deal,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. “For the most part, it’s not changing the strategy, it’s just kind of speeding things up.”

There were 932 intentional walks last year, including 600 in the National League, where batters are walked to bring the pitcher’s slot to the plate.

“You don’t want to get your pitcher out of a rhythm, and when you do the intentional walk, I think you can take a pitcher out of his rhythm,” Girardi said. “I’ve often wondered why you don’t bring in your shortstop and the pitcher stand at short. Let the shortstop walk him. They’re used to playing catch more.”

Agreement with the union is required for playing rule changes unless MLB gives one year advance notice.