New rules set to start this season
Major League Baseball went ahead with its planned rules changes for this season, including the requirement a pitcher must face at least three batters or end the half-inning, unless he is hurt.
The changes were agreed to by MLB and the players’ association last March, subject to the study of a joint committee. The three-batter minimum will start in spring training games March 12.
There were 2,162 pitching appearances of three batters or fewer last year, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, but 1,471 of them finished with the end of a half-inning or a game.
The active roster limit will increase by one to 26 from opening day through Aug. 31, will drop from 40 to 28 through the end of the regular season and return to 26 for the postseason. Each team may have a maximum 13 pitchers through Aug. 31 and during the postseason, and 14 from Sept. 1 through the end of the regular season.
Two-way players who have at least 20 innings pitched or 20 games started at a position or designated hitter with at least three plate appearances in the previous season may pitch without counting against that game’s pitcher limit. For this year, a player can use 2018 or 2019 to meet the requirement.
What had been a 26th player for certain day- night doubleheaders through Aug. 31 will become a 27th player in those situations, and that player won’t count against the pitcher limit.
Position players are prohibited from pitching through the ninth inning unless the player’s team is winning or losing by six or more runs when he takes the mound.
The injured list and option recall minimum period for pitchers will increase from 10 days to 15, an effort to slow the use of relievers by teams who shuttle off pitchers between the majors and minors. There still is a seven-day concussion IL.
Managers’ time to challenge a play with a video review has been cut from 30 seconds to 20.
Dodgers’ Baez wins arbitration: Dodgers reliever Pedro Baez became the first player to win in salary arbitration this year and will earn $4 million rather than the team’s offer of $3.5 million.
A right-hander who turns 32 next month, Baez was 7-2 with a 3.10 ERA in 71 relief appearances last season, striking out 69 in 69 2/3 innings while walking 23.
He had a $2.1 million salary last year and is eligible for free agency after this season.
Arbitrators Robert Herman, Jeanne Charles and Margaret Brogan made the decision, a day after hearing arguments.
Teams had won the first four decisions this year, beating Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson, Twins starting pitcher Jose Berrios, Braves reliever Shane Greene and Rockies catcher Tony Wolters.
Ohtani OK with Angels’ plan: Shohei Ohtani has no problem with the Angels’ plan to delay his return to the mound so they can preserve his pitching arm for later in the season.
The two-way star also wouldn’t have minded if the Angels wanted him to start on opening day, either.
Ohtani reacted positively to the Angels’ plan to delay his return to the mound until mid-May.
“I was getting prepared to start the year on opening day,” Ohtani said through his interpreter. “But if that’s what the team wants me to do, then I’ll be prepared to delay my debut. I don’t see any problems.”
The Angels are exercising caution with the 2018 AL rookie of the year, who hasn’t pitched since undergoing Tommy John surgery after his rookie season.
Ohtani, 25, will resume his everyday role as the Angels’ designated hitter from opening day.
Jays’ McGuire in trouble: Blue Jays catcher Reese McGuire was charged with misdemeanor indecent exposure after police were dispatched to a shopping center parking lot in Dunedin, Fla., on Friday afternoon following reports that a man sitting inside an SUV was exposing himself.
McGuire, 24, was cooperative and didn’t deny the allegations. He was given a notice to appear in court March 16 but he wasn’t jailed.