MLB rule changes: Universal DH, runner on second base for extra innings among many changes proposed for baseball in 2020

In this April 24, 2013, file photo, Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis stands on the Major League Baseball logo that serves as the on-deck circle during the first inning of a baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and the Indians, in Chicago

FILE - In this April 24, 2013, file photo, Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis stands on the Major League Baseball logo that serves as the on deck circle during the first inning of a baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and the Indians, in Chicago. Major League Baseball rejected the players' offer for a 114-game regular season in the pandemic-delayed season with no additional salary cuts and told the union it did not plan to make a counterproposal, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday, June 3, 2020, because no statements were authorized.(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File) APAP

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Major League Baseball is planning on implementing a series of significant rule changes for its shortened 2020 season, according to a June 20 draft of the league’s operations manual obtained by MassLive.

Pending approval from the players’ union, the league plans on beginning its 60-game season in mid-July. According to the latest draft of the manual, the 60-game season will include the following rule changes:

* Clubs in both leagues will be able to utilize the designated hitter for all regular season and postseason games.

* In the regular season (not the postseason), extra innings will be modified so that each half-inning following the ninth inning will begin with a runner on second base until a team wins.

The runner placed on second base will be the player who made the last out of the previous inning. Pinch-runners are allowed. Pitchers will not be charged with earned runs if the designated runners score.

* Position players can pitch at any point during a game, with zero limitations. Before the season was suspended, the league intended to change the rule so that position players could only pitch if a game goes to extra innings, or if their team is winning or losing by more than six runs.

* Pitchers are allowed to carry a small wet rag in their pocket to be used as a replacement for licking their fingers.

* The three-batter minimum for pitchers will be enforced.

* Games that are not official (meaning they didn’t complete five innings) can be suspended and continued at a later date if they end early due to weather. Previously, any game that did not complete five innings would be postponed and restarted from the beginning.

For spring training games, there will be even more drastic rule changes. Defensive managers would be able to end innings prior to three outs following any completed plate appearance, as long as the pitcher had thrown at least 25 pitches. Substitution rules will be relaxed, allowing pitchers to re-enter at any point.

The manual also calls for significant changes to roster construction and the league’s calendar, including shifting the trade deadline from July 31 to Aug. 31. The document, which is over 100 pages long, also outlines significant health and safety protocols that will need to be put in place for the league to proceed with its season.

Related links:

MLB restart: Owners vote for 60-game season beginning July 24-26 after players reject final offer

MLB players reject league’s 60-game proposal, paving way for Rob Manfred to announce season length in coming days (reports)

MLB’s 2020 safety proposal for coronavirus prohibits spitting, calls for sanitizing hands each half inning, wearing masks in dugout (report)

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