DUNEDIN, Fla. – MLB and the Players Association have reached a tentative agreement to expand their roster from 26 to 28 players by May 1 to somehow offset 3.5 weeks of spring training, The Post has learned.
In addition, the deal also essentially has a Shohei Otani rule where the designated hitter becomes universal in the new collective bargaining agreement. The new rule stipulates that if the starting pitcher also bats in the line-up, then that player remains in the DH role even if he was pulled from the start. Thus, if Otani had, say, thrown five innings, he would still have hit throughout the game. This rule is valid for the entire duration of the new CBA, not just 2022, and we look forward to promoting more bilateral players.
The deal also includes a return to using the “ghost” runner in extra innings, but only for 2022. Also, there will be no more seven-inning double headers. In such situations, there will be a return to nine-inning games.
The MLB and Players Association Rules Agreement includes the “Shohei Otani Rule”. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
MLB and the Players Association have reached an agreement on all of these issues. MLB owners will vote next week to ratify all of these decrees. It is expected to be passed because a simple majority of 30 owners is required.
The reason for most of the changes is to try to better protect the health and safety of the players. To that end, roster lists are expanded to 28 for the period, a team can have any number of pitchers it wants. It is believed that 3 1/2 weeks is not enough for the arms, especially beginners, to be fully extended. On May 2, rosters will return to 26, and teams can only have 13 pitchers at that time.
The extra-inning rule is perhaps the most controversial of all. It will only be in effect in 2022. He will again have a runner placed at second base to start each extra inning to create instant action and strategy and come to a decision without playing long extra innings.