More than two months into the Major League Baseball lockout that began in early December, the commissioner of the league is announcing changes to upcoming games.
Today, in his first news conference since the lockout began, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said the two sides are working on an agreement, and that the league has agreed to a universal designated hitter, Sports Illustrated reported.
Robert Manfred announced that MLB has agreed to a draft lottery and a universal DH pic.twitter.com/6hDbrXognb
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) February 10, 2022
According to MLB, the designated hitter rule allows teams to use a different player to bat in place of the team’s pitcher. Because the pitcher still plays for the team when they take the field for defense, a designated hitter only bats, and does not then take the field.
Designated hitters were first used in the American League in 1973 but did not exist in the National League until 2020. For one season, MLB instituted a universal DH as part of health and safety protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Manfred also said he is hopeful the regular season will start on time, but said for that to happen an agreement would likely have to be reached by the end of this month, USA Today reported.
“You’re always one breakthrough away from making an agreement. Somebody makes a move. That’s why we will make additional moves on Saturday … We’re going to make a good-faith positive proposal in an effort to move the process forward,” Manfred said, USA Today reported.
©2022 Cox Media Group
