MLB, union agree to use dugout signal for intentional walk

Getting rid of the old-fashioned intentional walk would eliminate about a minute of dead time per walk. In an age in which intentional walks actually have been declining — there were just 932 all last season (or one every 2.6 games) — that time savings would be minimal. But MLB saw the practice of lobbing four meaningless pitches as antiquated.

Stark reported at the time that for the intentional walk rule to go into effect this season, an agreement between the league and union would have to be reached “sooner rather than later,” since spring training games are close to beginning.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said Tuesday he didn’t want to share specifics of his priorities for alterations.