The Daily Courier

Odd MLB spring look on deck

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Colorado Rockies’ Ryan McMahon says players can find plenty to do with any extra time they could get if spring training games don’t go nine innings.

“Maybe slide out for some golf. If not, head home, hit the couch and watch some basketball right now,” McMahon said.

Things certainly could look different when spring training games begin Sunday, with managers allowed to mutually determine in advance how many innings their teams need or want to play.

“What we’re finding is it’s going to provide some flexibilit­y,” Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. “I think teams are viewing this differentl­y. My early read on it is we’ll have some different game lengths daily, based on teams’ available pitching.”

Some games may not even make it to a seventh-inning stretch, since they can be as few as five innings through March 13. Even after that, games can be scheduled for only seven innings.

“It’s a very reasonable decision by MLB to be flexible,” said White Sox skipper Tony La Russa, managing again a decade after his last game with St. Louis.

The potentiall­y shorter spring training games, and the ability to end innings before three outs, come on the heels of 2020, when teams had to alter workouts and the season was shortened to 60 games because of the pandemic.

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said he had already been in touch with Cleveland’s Terry Francona by midweek about their spring training opener Sunday. Teams have to confirm with MLB the previous day on how many innings.

“It’s just going to be communicat­ion between the managers. It’s all new to us but it should be pretty seamless once we get into it,” Bell said.

Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly expects his team’s first three games to go seven innings. “After that, we’re good for nine,” Mattingly said.

While the number of innings have to declared in advance, all of those innings don’t initially have to be three outs.

Through March 13, managers can end an inning before three outs following any completed plate appearance, provided the pitcher has thrown at least 20 pitches.

“Fans may not like it in the beginning,” Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “You’ve got two outs and the bases loaded and you yell over there ‘Last hitter. We’re rolling him.’ But in the long run I think it’s a smart move to help, especially now as we’ll be trying to stretch pitchers out.”

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Miami Marlins outfielder J.J. Bleday stretches in front of a teammate during spring training baseball practice Friday in Jupiter, Fla.
The Associated Press Miami Marlins outfielder J.J. Bleday stretches in front of a teammate during spring training baseball practice Friday in Jupiter, Fla.

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