New Rules

MLB has announced new rules for 2020. We knew most of them already, but let’s review.

1- The three batter minimum is in effect for pitchers, unless they end the inning before facing three hitters. It doesn’t matter when you come into the game (it applies to starters and relievers) you face three batters, or get to the end of the inning unless the umpire decides you are hurt. Say goodbye to lefty specialists.

2- Roster limits of 26 players (13 pitchers maximum) until September and 28 players (14 pitchers) through the end of the regular season. No more games with 12 pitchers per side. Teams will have the think very long and hard about their September callups.

3- Two-way players don’t count as pitchers if the team designates them as a two-way player and they have pitched 20 innings and played 20 games as a position player or DH with a minimum of 3 AB’s in each game in either 2018 or 2019. In short, this means Ohtani, but I would expect other teams to work to develop guys like this as a utility player who could pitch some relief would become much more valuable.

4- Pitchers and two-way players have to go on the IL for 15-days and remain in the minors for 15 days while position players can be activated after 10. This will cut down on the rotating bullpen we have seen teams like the Yankees deploy in the past.

5- Position players can only pitch in extra innings or with his team down six or more runs

6- Managers have 20 seconds to challenge a call, down from 30. Great, they’ve made it even more important for the manager to be in contact with the replay room!