The Hall of Fame made some small adjustments to its veterans committee system to limit people with relatively little support from repeatedly remaining on future ballots, a decision that could make it harder to gain entry to Cooperstown for steroids-tainted stars such as Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens.

Any candidate on the eight-person ballot who receives fewer than five votes from the 16-member panel will not be eligible for that committee’s ballot during the next three-year cycle, the hall said Wednesday. A candidate who is dropped, later reappears on a ballot and again receives fewer than five votes would be barred from future ballot appearances.

Bonds, Clemens, Rafael Palmeiro and Albert Belle each received fewer than four votes in December 2022, when Fred McGriff was a unanimous pick. Bonds and Clemens were on a hall ballot for the first time since their 10th and final appearances on the Baseball Writers’ Association of America ballot. The rules change could limit reappraisals of their candidacies.

In addition, the historical overview committee appointed by the BBWAA that selects the ballot candidates must also be approved by the hall’s board of directors. The hall said the decisions were made by its board during a Feb. 26 meeting in Orlando, Florida.

In 2022, the hall restructured its veterans committees for the third time in 12 years, setting up panels to consider the contemporary era from 1980 on as well as the classic era. The contemporary baseball era holds separate ballots for players and another for managers, executives and umpires. Each committee meets every three years.

Mets dwarf other teams in money spent >> The New York Mets led the major leagues in spending for the third straight season in 2024 and have totaled $1.36 billion in payroll and luxury tax over four years under owner Steve Cohen, exceeding what the Marlins, Pirates and Rays each have spent on players in the past 21 seasons.

The Mets established a $333.3 million regular payroll record, according to figures finalized by Major League Baseball this week. That topped the previous mark of $319.5 million set by the Mets in 2023, when they became the first team to exceed $300 million.

New York totaled $430.4 million last year in payroll and luxury tax ($97.1 million) to set a cost record. The Mets paid $420 million the year before, including a $100.8 million tax.

New York’s spending on major league players for 2021-24 was just above what the payrolls from 2004-24 totaled for the Marlins ($1.34 billion), Pirates ($1.32 billion) and Rays ($1.32 billion).

By comparison, Oakland has spent a low of $269 million over the past four seasons and Pittsburgh $271 million.

The San Francisco Giants’ payroll of $188,767,909 according to Spotrac was the 10th highest in the majors in 2024.

The Yankees were second among regular payrolls at a team record $310.9 million. The World Series champion Dodgers were third at $270.8 million and Philadelphia fourth at $249.1 million.

Orioles hopeful Henderson will heal soon >> Baltimore Orioles star shortstop Gunnar Henderson has a mild right intercoastal strain, manager Brandon Hyde said.

Hyde said the Orioles are “very, very hopeful” that Henderson will be ready for the March 27 oepner at Toronto but are being cautious with the 2023 American League Rookie of the Year. The 23-year-old shortstop was an All-Star last season, when he hit .281 with 37 homers and 92 RBIs.

“We’re going to not push a strain there, and we want to make sure that he gets it taken care of,” Hyde said. “It’s one of those sensitive areas where we don’t want anything to reoccur.”

An intercostal strain involves the muscles around the ribs. Hyde’s update to reporters Wednesday, after the Orioles beat Minnesota in a spring training game, came six days after Henderson exited a game because of lower right side discomfort.

Astros’ Walker has oblique soreness >> New Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker was scratched from the lineup for a spring training game because of soreness in his left oblique.

alker missed more than a month last season with Arizona because of a strained left oblique muscle. He joined the Astros on a $60 million, three-year contract during the offseason.

NHL

Lightning acquire Gourde, Bjorkstrand >> The Tampa Bay Lightning made a big move ahead of the NHL trade deadline to bolster their playoff chances.

The Lightning acquired forwards Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand from Seattle in a three-team trade that also involved Detroit facilitating by retaining salary. They sent conditional 2026 and ‘27 first-round picks, a second-rounder this year and winger Mikey Eyssimont to the Kraken and a fifth-rounder this year to the Red Wings.

Tampa Bay also received a 2026 fifth-round pick and the rights to unsigned prospect Kyle Aucoin as part of another aggressive maneuver by general manager Julien BriseBois.

The Kraken retained half of Gourde’s salary and the Red Wings another quarter, so his cap hit will be just under $1.3 million.

The first-round picks the next two years are top-10 protected.

Ovechkin moves closer to Gretzky >> Alex Ovechkin scored his 885th career goal midway through the third period of the Washington Capitals’ 3-2 overtime win over the New York Rangers, moving nine away from tying Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record.

Men’s basketball

Colorado State defeats San Jose State 83-56 >> Nique Clifford’s 15 points helped Colorado State defeat San Jose State 83-56 at home on Tuesday for the Rams’ sixth straight win.

Sadraque NgaNga finished with 16 points for the Spartans (13-18, 6-13 Mountain West). Josh Uduje added 10 points for San Jose State. Sadaidriene Hall also recorded nine points and seven rebounds.

The Rams (21-9, 15-4), with one game left in the regular season, still have a chance to share the MWC title but at best can only be the No. 2 seed in the league tournament, having been swept by New Mexico (16-3).