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The MLB Rule Changes Agreed Upon in the New CBA

Major League Baseball finally ended its lockout on Thursday, reaching a reported agreement with the players association on a new collective bargaining agreement. With the 2022 season now slated to begin on April 7, it’s time to take stock of just how different the game will look with a spate of rule changes on their way in.

Here’s a breakdown of the changes being adopted for the new season, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan:

  • Universal designated hitter
  • Playoffs expanded to 12 teams
  • Limits to the number of time a player can be optioned to the minor leagues in one season
  • A draft lottery to discourage tanking
  • Draft pick inducements meant to discourage service time manipulation

The most impactful on-field change is clearly the adoption of the DH by the National League.