ORLANDO, Fla. _ Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred on Friday all but ruled out bringing the designated hitter to the National League in time for the 2019 season, saying "the clock's kind of ticking" on making such a momentous change before Opening Day.
But Manfred did sound hopeful that owners and players can agree to changes to pace-of-play rules before the first pitch of the season is thrown.
"I hope, and I really do believe, that there is a common interest between the Players Association, the players, the owners and the commissioner's office in changes _ whether they're midterm or otherwise _ that make our entertainment product the best that it can possibly be," Manfred said at the end of the owners' meetings at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando. "I have great confidence in that common sort of viewpoint."
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