CHICAGO ( Associated Press) — Starting Monday, every major league bullpen from Seattle to Tampa Bay will have a little more space.
Major League Baseball is moving forward with its often-delayed plan to put a 13-pitcher limit on the active team roster. The measure would affect baseball in a number of ways, from an increase in players in other positions moving up the mound to calling their pitchers higher in the minor leagues.
“I don’t know if I understand it. But that’s okay, because we’re following the rules,” said Cleveland manager Terry Francona. “But it’s one of those things that’s hard when they tell you how to compete. I think sometimes, especially with doubleheaders coming in, teams will suffer.”
The 13-pitcher limit was originally announced by MLB ahead of the 2020 season, one of several changes that included expanding the active roster by one member to 26 and requiring pitchers to face at least three batsmen. Was or ends at the minus half inning. But the border was crossed on several occasions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
MLB and the players’ union announced on March 31 that the 13-pitch limit would take effect on May 2, then on April 16 it was reported that the date had been moved to May 30. Last month he said the change would take effect from June 20, and MLB sent a reminder last week.
Now it is happening.
“For us, I was hoping they wouldn’t,” Washington manager Dave Martinez said with a laugh. “I could sit here and lie to them, but it would be nice if we could keep that extra pitcher.”
The Washington NL is last in the east and has all kinds of problems with its pitching, with Stephen Strasberg and Joe Ross having only one start between them in 2022 due to injuries.
Injuries have plagued the bullpen, along with some ineffective outings, leading to business in the relief corps.
According to Sportradar, Washington was one of 18 teams with at least 14 pitchers on the active roster after Saturday’s game. Seattle had a major league-high 15, and the group included World Series champion Atlanta as well as division leaders Minnesota, the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
