BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJOR LEAGUES : New Speed-Up Rules Are Slowed Down

New rules to speed up the game, adopted by owners last month in Minneapolis, will be changed when they are announced later this week, according to people familiar with the plans.

Owners announced the time between innings will be cut from 2 minutes 30 seconds to 1:45. In a compromise, the time will be reduced to 2:05.

Also modified was the rule disallowing batters from stepping out of the batter’s box once their at-bat begins. Following negotiations with the players’ association, batters will be able to step out but must remain within three feet of the box.

Still awaiting resolution is the proposal to raise the mound from 10 inches to 12 or 13 inches starting next season.

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Catcher Scott Servais of the Chicago Cubs will be out four weeks because of a sprained knee. Servais, obtained recently from the Houston Astros, injured his left knee in a collision at home plate with Philadelphia catcher Darren Daulton in the 12th inning of Sunday’s 7-6 Cub victory.

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Darrell Dent, an outfielder from Van Nuys Montclair Prep, signed with Baltimore and was assigned to the Orioles’ rookie-league club in Sarasota, Fla.