METS
Harvey caught in traffic
NEW YORK -- Matt Harvey finally made it to the New York Mets workout, and he had an explanation plenty of New Yorkers could understand -- he was stuck in traffic.
When the star pitcher didn't initially show Tuesday, General Manager Sandy Alderson did not know why. Alderson believed the Citi Field workout was mandatory for all players.
Harvey's agent, Scott Boras, also was in the dark at first. He told The Associated Press by phone he wasn't sure why his client wasn't there. But Harvey eventually showed up and apologized for the late arrival.
New York opens its NL playoff series against the Dodgers on Friday night in Los Angeles. Harvey is to start Game 3 at Citi Field next Monday. The right-hander went 13-8 with a 2.71 ERA this year in his first season back from Tommy John surgery.
TWINS
Ryan: Have faith in Mauer
MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota Twins General Manager Terry Ryan says he believes Joe Mauer can return to .300 hitting after one of the worst offensive seasons of his career.
Ryan addressed the media on Tuesday after the Twins wrapped up the season. He says Mauer will remain the first baseman going into the 2016 season after Mauer hit a career-worst .265 and struck out a career-high 112 times.
Mauer won three American League batting titles as a catcher. But injuries have contributed to his struggles the last two seasons. He hit .277 in 2014.
Mauer will turn 33 in April and is under contract through 2018.
Ryan stopped short of saying he can become the annual batting title contender he was in his younger days. But he says he believes hitting .300 again is a realistic expectation.
MARLINS
Suzuki signs 1-year deal
MIAMI -- Ichiro Suzuki signed a $2 million, one-year contract Tuesday to remain with the Miami Marlins in hopes of reaching 3,000 hits.
Suzuki, who turns 42 on Oct. 22, is tied for 33rd on Major League Baseball's hits list with 2,935. He also had 1,278 in Japan.
Suzuki had 91 hits in 153 games for the Marlins this year but batted a career-low .229, dropping his career average to .314. His slugging percentage was .279, the lowest among all major league players with more than 300 at-bats. But injuries to other outfielders, including slugger Giancarlo Stanton, made him a regular.
Suzuki batted .139 after Aug. 31, and Marlins officials acknowledged they played him more than planned. But they believe he's capable of another productive season.
"He's in the best shape of any player I've seen at any age," team President David Samson said.
Suzuki, a 10-time Gold Glove Award winner, pitched for the first time in his 15-year major league career in the Marlins' season finale Sunday, throwing one inning at Philadelphia.
Outfield wall to be lowered
MIAMI -- The Marlins have decided to alter their outfield wall and give hitters a better chance in their spacious ballpark.
The Marlins still want a park that favors pitchers, team President David Samson said Tuesday. But the wall will be lowered and perhaps moved closer to home plate for the 2016 season.
"It can be very disheartening for players to hit a ball 410 feet and have it not go out," Samson said. "We're trying to make it play more fair."
In the four years since Marlins Park opened, only 412 home runs have been hit. That's the second-lowest total in the majors to 411 home runs at San Francisco's AT&T Park.
Reducing dimensions is most likely in the power alleys, especially right-center field, Samson said. A lower outfield wall could create more excitement for spectators watching from the Clevelander nightclub in left-center field.
The height of the wall ranges from 11 1/2 to 13 1/2 feet. The power alleys are 384 feet to left-center field, 392 to right-center and 422 to center. And the ball doesn't carry well under a retractable roof that is almost always closed.
The Marlins are consulting with an architect about the changes, which will come with Marlins Park scheduled to host the All-Star Game and Home Run Derby in 2017.
HALL OF FAME
Frick nominees announced
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. -- Jack Graney, Graham McNamee and Bert Wilson have been elected by fans to join seven other candidates on the ballot for the Hall of Fame's Ford C. Frick Award, presented annually for excellence in baseball broadcasting.
Graney, a former player, called Cleveland games from 1932-1944 and 1946-1953; McNamee worked for Westinghouse (1923-1925) and NBC (1926-1935), including 12 World Series; Wilson did Chicago Cubs games from 1944-1955, starting by broadcasting from a rooftop behind Wrigley Field's bleachers.
The other finalists announced Tuesday are Harry Heilmann, Al Helfer, France Laux, Tom Manning, Rosey Rowswell, Hal Totten and Ty Tyson. The ballot for the 2016 honor includes candidates in the Broadcasting Dawn Era, defined as through the mid-1950s. The Hall said all 10 finalists are deceased.
Fans voted for their three nominees online at the Hall's Facebook page.
Eighteen people will select the winner: the 14 living Frick award recipients and four people regarded as historians. The winner will be announced Dec. 9 at the winter meetings in Nashville, Tennessee, and will be honored July 23 ahead of the Hall of Fame inductions.
Sports on 10/07/2015