New leagues for a fewer number of minor league teams have been set in place by MLB for the 2021 season.
All 120 minor league teams — including the Detroit Tigers affiliated Triple-A Toledo, Double-A Erie, High-A West Michigan and Low-A Lakeland — officially accepted invitations Friday to become professional development league license holders.
The invitations were given in December, cutting the number of minor league squads from 162 to 120 under the new structure. The minors were canceled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As part of MLB's realignment, major league teams are now closer to their higher-level affiliates.