NEW YORK — Baseball has instituted a two-minute limit on warmup tosses when relievers come in during an inning.

        “Another reason why baseball is shooting itself in the foot,” Yankees manager Joe Torre said Tuesday.

        Pitchers are limited to eight warmup tosses at the start of an inning or when they relieve, with several exceptions: the first inning, after replacing an injured pitcher and following a rain delay.

        Starting June 18, umpires were told relievers had two minutes to get in their eight tosses when they relieved during an inning, with the clock starting when they stepped into fair territory.

        At the start of an inning, the warmup limit is 1:40, unless the game is on national television, in which case it is two minutes.

        “The umpires have been instructed to tell the pitcher he's got one more pitch at that moment,” said Ralph Nelson, vice president of umpires in the commissioner's office.

        Torre was annoyed because the rule affected Yan kees reliever Jay Witasick on Monday night. In his first appearance since New York acquired him from San Diego, Witasick relieved with a 6-2 lead in the sixth inning and let Cleveland tie the game, then ultimately got the win.

        Witasick, who reported to the Yankees shortly before gametime, got to the mound and was introduced to his new teammates by Derek Jeter. Torre spent some time talking to his new pitcher, and after three warmup tosses, plate umpire Derryl Cousins told Witasick, “One more.”

        “The catcher had never caught me before,” Witasick said. “We had things to discuss.”

        Nelson said the move to rush relievers was made as part of baseball's renewed effort to speed games.

Reds 10, Cardinals 9 Larkin blames groin injury for defensive problems Griffey's All-Star streak near end Crosley Field stamp debuts Win starts and ends with Ochoa Breaking up Griffey-Casey hard to do Reyes not ready to return Relievers must learn new 2-minute drill Reds box, runs

Jazz may take first dibs on Satterfield
Online opinions on Satterfield
Wizards could make history with first pick
Firstar might yet host C-USA tourney
SULLIVAN: Boxer finds title shot elusive
Six-time Met champ has home-course advantage
Men's Met tee times, scores
Men's Met Notebook
Bonds Watch: No homers
Panel: Bar schools if kids don't graduate

• Return to Reds front page...