NEW YORK — There won’t be any wild pitches on intentional walks this season.

The players’ association has agreed to Major League Baseball’s proposal to have intentional walks without pitches this year.

“It doesn’t seem like that big of a deal. I know they’re trying to cut out some of the fat. I’m OK with that,” Cleveland Manager Terry Francona said.

While the union has resisted many of MLB’s proposed innovations, such as raising the bottom of the strike zone, installing pitch clocks and limiting trips to the mound, players are willing to accept the intentional walk change.

“As part of a broader discussion with other moving pieces, the answer is yes,” union head Tony Clark wrote Wednesday in an email to The Associated Press. “There are details, as part of that discussion, that are still being worked through, however.”

The union’s decision was first reported by ESPN.

“I’m OK with it. You signal. I don’t think that’s a big deal,” Yankees Manager Joe Girardi said. “For the most part, it’s not changing the strategy, it’s just kind of speeding things up. I’m good with it.”

There were 932 intentional walks last year, including 600 in the National League, where batters are walked to bring the pitcher’s slot to the plate.

RANGERS: Josh Hamilton has left spring training camp to have his reconstructed left knee examined after he experienced pain.

The 2010 AL MVP, at spring training with a minor league contract, felt discomfort in the knee during the Rangers’ first full-squad spring training workout Tuesday. Hamilton has had 10 knee operations.

Hamilton has a $24 million salary this year, and the Angels pay the Rangers $22 million to cover most of it.

YANKEES: Manager Joe Girardi said 36-year old left-hander CC Sabathia, coming off arthroscopic knee surgery in October, likely will pitch in simulated games instead of spring training exhibitions during the first few times through the rotation.

Girardi said Sabathia has not had any knee issues but the team is able to control his routine better with a simulated game.