MLB eyes rules changes

PHOENIX — Major League Baseball intends to give the players’ association the required one-year advance notice that would allow management to unilaterally change the strike zone, install pitch clocks and limit trips to the mound starting in 2018.

Commissioner Rob Manfred made the announcement Tuesday after union head Tony Clark said last weekend he did not foresee players agreeing to the proposed changes for 2017. Under baseball’s labor contract, management can alter playing rules only with agreement from the union — unless it gives one year’s notice. With the one year of notice, management can make changes on its own.

Manfred said he will send a letter to the union and plans to continue dialogue with Clark and others in hopes of reaching agreement.

“Unfortunately it now appears that there really won’t be any meaningful change for the 2017 season due to a lack of cooperation from the MLBPA,” Manfred said.

Manfred said he prefers an agreement, but “I’m also not willing to walk away.”

MLB and the union seem to be in accord on one way to shorten play — however little — agreeing to change the intentional walk rule from four pitches to a dugout signal, according to an ESPN report, citing league and union sources.