Updated

CHICAGO (AP) Major League Baseball has hired a search firm to help prepare candidates for openings in baseball operations throughout the league, with special emphasis for minority and female candidates.

There has never been a female GM in baseball, and there are few women and minorities on that side of the organizational structure in the sport.

MLB has had a minority interview requirement in place for several years, but Commissioner Rob Manfred says the league feels the agreement with Korn Ferry ''might be able to improve the effectiveness of the rule by making minority candidates who get an interview more effective in that interview process.''

Manfred made his remarks on Thursday at the conclusion of the owners' meetings in Chicago. Friday is the one-year anniversary since he was elected to replace Bud Selig in the commissioner job.