Counsell: MLB rule in place for Ohtani, Dodgers ‘bizarre’
CHICAGO — Cubs supervisor Craig Counsell thinks a Major League Baseball rule that permits the Los Angeles Dodgers to hold 14 pitchers due to Shohei Ohtani is “bizarre.”
Major league groups are allowed to have a most of 13 pitchers on their lively 26-man roster from Opening Day by Aug. 31. From Sept. 1 Through the top of the season, the roster limits improve to 14 pitchers and 28 lively gamers.
But Ohtani is designated as a two-way participant, which implies he does not rely as a pitcher. So, the reigning World Series champions have 14 pitchers on their lively roster.
Asked concerning the 13-pitcher restrict earlier than Monday’s 5-1 victory over the Philadelphia PhilliesCounsell stated he has by no means understood the reasoning for the restriction.
“It’s a rule to help offense, I think, more than anything, if you ask me,” Counsell stated. “And then there’s one team that’s allowed to carry basically one of both, and that he gets special consideration. Which is probably the most bizarre rule. … For one team.”
The two-way participant designation is for gamers with at the least 20 innings pitched in the main leagues and at the least 20 massive league begins as a place participant or designated hitter with at the least three plate appearances in every of these video games. The participant has to achieve these numbers in the present season or any one of many two most up-to-date seasons.
Los Angeles supervisor Dave Roberts, after his membership’s 12-3 win Monday on the Colorado Rockieswas requested by The Athletic about Counsell’s feedback.
“The thing is, it certainly benefits us because we have the player. … We’re more than willing for other teams to go out and find a player who can do both,” Roberts stated. “He’s an exception because he’s an exceptional player. It is what it is.”
The designation went into impact for the 2020 season. Ohtani, 31, is the one present participant who meets the standards.
“There’s not another player like that, but one team gets different rules for that player,” stated Counsell, who performed in the majors for 16 years.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
