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Pirates notebook: Designated hitter gaining traction for inclusion in NL

CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred says National League teams may be more receptive to the designated hitter than in the past, even though owners ended two days of meetings without any serious discussion about expanding use of the DH.

A decline in offense and injuries to pitchers while hitting have stirred speculation the NL might be ready to embrace the designated hitter, which has been used in the American League since 1973.

Last week, St. Louis Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said there was more momentum lately for the DH in the NL.