With about a week until pitchers and catchers report to spring training, Major League Baseball and the Players Association agreed on some rules for the upcoming season:
There will be seven-inning doubleheaders again. A runner will be placed on second base in extra innings to lower the potential of marathon games. And there won’t be a designated hitter in the National League nor expanded playoffs.
The Cincinnati Reds were a team that was well-equipped to use a designated hitter, but now manager David Bell will have the challenge of finding regular at-bats for outfielders Nick Castellanos, Jesse Winker, Shogo Akiyama, Nick Senzel and potentially Aristides Aquino. It could lead to an interesting season for Michael Lorenzen if he wins a spot in the starting rotation because he’ll be available to pinch-run and be a defensive replacement in the outfield more often.
Some highlights from the MLB-MLBPA agreement on health and safety protocols for the upcoming year:
• Spring training games until March 13 may be shortened to five- or seven-inning games if agreed upon by both managers. Completions of innings won’t be required if a pitcher has thrown at least 20 pitches.
• Teams are permitted to invite up to 75 players and 75 staff members to spring training. Once in camp, which requires a five-day quarantine, they won’t be allowed to attend indoor gatherings with more than 10 people. That covers indoor restaurants, bars, fitness centers or entertainment venues like bowling alleys.
