MLB to eliminate home-plate collisions
A new rule could go into effect next season, but no later than 2015.
MAJOR LEAGUE Baseball plans to eliminate home-plate collisions, possibly as soon as next season but no later than by 2015.
New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson, chairman of the rules committee, made the announcement yesterday at the winter meetings.
"This is, I think, in response to a few issues that have arisen," Alderson said. "One is just the general occurrence of injuries from these incidents at home plate that affect players, both runners and catchers. And also kind of the general concern about concussions that exists not only in baseball but throughout professional sports and amateur sports today. It's an emerging issue, and one that we in baseball have to address, as well as other sports."
Alderson said wording of the rules change will be presented to owners for approval at the Jan. 16 meeting in Paradise Valley, Ariz.
Approval of the players' union is needed for the rules change to be effective for 2014.
Discussion to limit or ban collisions has intensified since May 2011, when San Francisco's Buster Posey was injured by Florida's Scott Cousins. Posey, an All-Star catcher, sustained a broken bone in his lower left leg and three torn ligaments in his ankle, an injury that ended his season.
Noteworthy
* Righthander Bartolo Colon, 40, has agreed to a 2-year, $20 million deal with the New York Mets, according to multiple reports.
Colon was 18-6 with a 2.65 ERA for Oakland last season.
* The agent for Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp said the team told him they plan to keep Kemp rather than trade him.
Kemp has been the subject of trade rumors, but agent Dave Stewart said he met with the team and was told of its intentions.
In another matter, Jerry Hairston Jr. is retiring after spending the past two seasons with the Dodgers.
* Corey Hart and the Seattle Mariners reached agreement on a 1-year contract.
Hart did not play in 2013 because of a right knee surgery in January 2013 after a meniscus tear and joint damage was discovered.
In 2012, Hart hit .270 with 30 homers and 83 RBI with Milwaukee.
* The Pittsburgh Pirates and righthander Charlie Morton have agreed to a 3-year, $21 million contract.
The 30-year-old Morton went 7-4 with a 3.26 ERA in 20 starts for the Pirates in 2013.