MLB News: Roster Size Expanded, A ‘Shohei Ohtani Rule’, and Ghost Runners Return

Things are going to look slightly different for the 2022 MLB season. With the lockout coming to a very quick end, players and organizations scrambled to get ready for Opening Day. That included Spring Training being just 3 1/2 weeks, much different from years past. 

But according to the New York Post’s Joel Sherman, there are some temporary changes to help combat that. MLB and the MLBPA reportedly agreed on a few of those rule adjustments yesterday afternoon. 

This is what the two sides were able to agree on: 

Roster Size Expansion

The MLB and Player’s Association agreed that the roster sizes would need to be expanded this season, at least for the first few weeks. Up until May 1st, the rosters will be expanded from 26 players to 28 players. That allows for teams to keep players healthy with the shortened ramp-up to the season. 

The Shohei Ohtani Rule

Unofficially called the Shohei Ohtani Rule, the introduction of the universal DH brings some complications. But MLB will allow starting pitchers who are also hitting in the lineup to remain as the DH even if pulled from a start. That rule applies to the entire Collective Bargaining Agreement, not just the 2022 season. 

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Extra-Innings Ghost Runners

The extra-inning ghost runner is coming back for the 2022 season. Players will once again start on second base in an effort to cut down on extra-inning game time. MLB did change up the doubleheader rules for this season though. The 7-inning doubleheader will be gone for this season, once again going back to the typical 9 innings. 

So there you have it baseball fans, a few little changes for you. Dodgers fans will certainly enjoy the expanded roster size since it seems like there very well could be a roster crunch coming their way. 

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