What’s the ‘Shohei Ohtani rule?’ A look at MLB rule changes for 2022 and beyond

It was the fifth inning. The primary batter hit a house run to tie the rating. Two of the following three batters reached base. Shohei Ohtani was finished for the day — or was he?

The Angels wished to switch Ohtani on the mound, however they didn’t need to lose his bat of their lineup, not when he was due up fourth within the backside of the inning.

Nonetheless, he had began the sport because the pitcher, not the designated hitter. In an effort to hold him within the recreation for his subsequent at-bat, the Angels needed to transfer him to proper subject.

The Angels went out so as within the backside of the inning, in order that they needed to threat taking part in Ohtani in proper subject for yet one more inning. He then batted, dropped a bunt single, was thrown out making an attempt to steal second base, and eventually left the sport.

Within the lifetime of Ohtani, that was sooner or later final Could.

No extra of that nonsense this season. Underneath a brand new rule nicknamed the “Shohei Ohtani rule,” a crew can record a participant because the pitcher and designated hitter on the times he begins, then take away him in a single function however not the opposite. When the Angels go to the bullpen, Ohtani could be out of the sport because the pitcher however would stay within the recreation because the designated hitter.

It is a fan-friendly rule, as a result of who doesn’t need to see Ohtani bat extra typically? However it additionally restores a measure of equity: Why ought to Ohtani and the Angels be penalized due to his distinctive talent? Why ought to they be compelled to restrict how lengthy he can hit due to how lengthy he can pitch?

The rule will not be restricted to Ohtani, after all, even when he figures to be the first beneficiary. However let’s say the Angels are dealing with a crew utilizing a right-handed opener. The Angels’ pitchers this season embrace Michael Lorenzen, whose profession OPS (on-base plus slugging) towards right-handers is .767. The league common final season was .725.

So, in idea, the Angels may begin Lorenzen, let him bat towards the opener, then hold him within the recreation as a pitcher whereas eradicating him because the DH.

What else is new in 2022? Right here’s what:

For this season solely

• Rosters develop from 26 to twenty-eight for the primary month of the season, giving groups safety for pitchers who won’t be capable of work deep into video games straight away due to the shortened spring coaching.

• The return of the “ghost runner,” as safety towards overworking pitching staffs throughout a season with a condensed schedule, together with 30 scheduled doubleheaders. In all additional innings, a crew begins its flip at bat with a runner on second base.

For 2022 and past

• The designated hitter in each leagues.

• The playoffs develop from 10 to 12 groups. Of the three division champions in every league, the 2 with the most effective file get a first-round bye, robotically advancing into the division sequence. The opposite 4 playoff groups meet in a best-of-three sequence, with the winners advancing to the division sequence.

• The “Andrew Friedman Guidelines,” all designed to attenuate fixed tinkering with a roster searching for even the slightest edge. Pitcher Mitch White, as an example, was despatched right down to the minor leagues by the Dodgers 11 instances final season, generally a day or two after he was referred to as up. If beginning pitchers can work deeper into video games, all the higher.

The modifications: If a crew needs to demote a participant already optioned 5 instances that season, each different crew should first get the prospect to assert him on waivers. (For this season, choices previous to Could 2 don’t rely towards the brand new restrict.) And, beginning Could 2, groups are restricted to 13 pitchers on their lively roster, with the minimal keep for a pitcher on the injured record rising from 10 days to fifteen.

• The participant payroll a crew can subject with out having to pay a luxurious tax will increase from $210 million final yr to $230 million this yr. That determine rises to $233 million in 2023, $237 million in 2024, $241 million in 2025 and $244 million in 2026.

• Gamers not but eligible for wage arbitration, most of whom play for a wage at or close to the minimal of $700,000, are eligible for performance-based bonuses from a pool of $50 million per season.

Beginning in 2023

• A draft lottery, in order that the crew with the worst file one yr doesn’t essentially choose first the next yr. The 18 non-playoff groups will qualify for the lottery, though large-market groups can not qualify in two consecutive years and small-market groups can not qualify in three consecutive years. The highest six picks amongst these 18 groups shall be decided by lottery, the remaining in reverse order of profitable proportion.

• Free brokers would not be topic to qualifying gives, that means a crew would not forfeit draft picks by signing a free agent. (Nonetheless, to ensure that this alteration to take impact, the gamers’ union should agree by July 25 to a world draft. In consequence, a prime prospect from the Dominican Republic or Venezuela would not signal with a crew as a free agent however could be restricted to signing with no matter crew drafts him, as is at present the case for prime prospects in america, Canada and Puerto Rico. If a world draft is adopted, MLB hopes to launch it in 2024.)