After being publicly taken to task (Passan, ESPN) by Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander on Monday, Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred addressed the topic on everyone’s lips on Tuesday in Cleveland — what’s up with these baseballs?

Speaking to the press corps ahead of Tuesday’s MLB All-Star Game at Progressive Field, Manfred flatly denied any wrongdoing on the league’s part.

“[MLB] has done nothing, given no direction for an alteration in the baseball […] The biggest flaw in logic is that baseball somehow wants more home runs,” Manfred said (quotes via David Lennon, Newsday). “There is no desire on part of ownership to increase the number of home runs in the game. To the contrary, they’re concerned about how many we have.”

Last week, Dr. Meredith Wills of The Athletic, an astrophysicist, laid out a strong, factual argument against Manfred’s previous, similar claims, detailing the changes in this season’s baseball resulting in less drag, as well as the historic power surge that’s followed.

MLB Players’ Association union chief, Tony Clark, voiced his concerns, acknowledging “dramatic changes [..] in what balls are doing on the field”, but stopped short of pinpointing the source of said changes.

“It’s safe to say whether you’re a position player or a pitcher […], you’re going to ask questions — if for no other reason than our guys are historians, too. Our guys know and understand and respect their place in the historical conversation […]” Clark said. “I believe that the ball has suddenly changed and I don’t know why.”

It’s safe to say this conversation will be an ongoing one. As always, we will keep you posted.

Commissioner Manfred also addressed two other hot-button issues on Tuesday, noting “the possibility of the National League adopting the designated hitter likely won’t be negotiated until [collective bargaining agreement] talks after the 2021 season, not before”, as per Tim Healey of Newsday.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports reports that Manfred “said he’s inclined to encourage the owners to pass the three-batter minimum rule for pitchers in 2020”, which was initially proposed in January of this year.

Keep it locked onto MMO for continuing updates throughout the All-Star festivities in Cleveland.