What new rules did MLB instiitute after the owners and players finally ended the lockout and agreed on a new collective-bargaining agreement?
The end of the MLB lockout means the arrival of several new rules for the 2022 season and beyond.
It took longer than anyone hoped would be necessary but the owners and players finally hammered out a CBA and are ready to move forward.
Fans can look forward to some big and little changes that will change the way they experience the game. Here are some of the new rules to know:
New and updated MLB CBA details revealed
Here are some of the most notable changes that are happening to baseball now that the MLB Lockout is finally over.
- A 45-day window for MLB to implement rules changes — among them a pitch clock, ban on shifts, and larger bases in the 2023 season
- The National League adopting the designated hitter
- A draft lottery implemented with the intent of discouraging tanking
- Draft-pick inducements to discourage service-time manipulation
- Limiting the number of times a player can be optioned to the minor leagues in one season
- An expanded postseason to 12 teams
Designated hitter
One of the earliest agreements on a major rule change was to implement the designated hitter in the National League.
The American League has used a designated hitter, or a non-position player who can replace the pitcher in the batting order, since 1973. It’s now an MLB rule across the board.
Look for this to change the way teams assemble their lineups with increased value for sluggers who may not fit best as position players.
12-team playoff
Baseball’s postseason used to include 10 teams. Now it includes 12 with the three division winners from each league joined by additional wild card teams.
The previous setup had a single wildcard matchup in the AL and NL. The new playoff bracket will feature additional series.
MLB Draft lottery
In an effort to stop incentivizing tanking, MLB will have a weighted draft lottery for the six top picks.
Much like the NBA, the worst team in baseball will no longer be guaranteed the No. 1 pick.
Uniform advertisements
Another change mirroring the NBA involves ads. Teams will be able to place advertising patches on jerseys.