Manfred: Pace of play needs to be improved more

MIAMI>> MLB 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.”