After months of negotiations that were often contentious, it’s easy to have the impression that MLB and the players association can’t agree on anything. However, it appears everyone is on the same page about one crucial baseball issue: more Shohei Ohtani is always better.
The league and players’ union has reportedly agreed to a series of rules for the upcoming season, one of which will likely only impact the reigning American League MVP, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. With the universal designated hitter arriving this year, an “Ohtani rule” will allow a pitcher who is also hitting in the team’s lineup that game to remain as DH even after he is removed from the game as the pitcher. So, if Ohtani gets pulled from the mound in the sixth inning, he’ll still be able to bat for the remainder of the game. Previously, Ohtani had to move to the outfield If the Los Angeles Angels wanted to keep his bat in the lineup.
Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports
