Major League Baseball has agreed to rules tweaks with the MLB Players Association that will increase rosters, place an automatically runner at second base during extra innings, as well as allow pitchers and catchers to remain in the lineup once they are replaced, according to an industry source.
These changes will make it easier for you to get your job done. Los Angeles AngelsTo keep Shohei OhtaniOn his start day, he had a bat in the lineup.
ESPN has learned that the New York Post first reported about the new rules. The MLB owners will ratify them next week with a simple majority.
To compensate for the shorter spring training period that was followed by the 99-day owner-imposed lockout which made it harder for beginning pitchers to be fully prepared for the season, the number of rosters will increase from 26 to 28 between April 7 and May 1. According to the Post, there will not be any limit on how many pitchers teams can carry in April. However, they will be limited to 13 starting May 2. In order to reduce the risk of pitcher injuries caused by over-usage, an automatic runner will be placed at second base in extra innings. It is currently in place for the 2022 regular seasons.
The new designated hitter rule will be in effect for the duration of the collective bargaining agreement that runs through 2026. The new designated hitter rule would allow a pitcher to also hit to be listed as the DH. This means that he can continue to be the DH even if he is not pitching. Ohtani, a Japanese sensation and American League MVP unanimously, will receive an additional one to two plate appearances almost every time he starts.
The Angels were often in a tough spot last year as Ohtani started. They needed to find a way to balance their desire for Ohtani to continue playing and not push him too far. They would often place Ohtani in outfield for a few innings during close games. Ohtani spent 8 1/3 innings last year in the outfield, most of it in right field. But he never saw a pitch. These days are likely over as MLB borrowed from last year’s All-Star Game rule to allow Ohtani to pitch in the first inning while remaining in the lineup.