Once the calendar reaches Sept. 1, all MLB teams will be required to have expanded rosters of 28 players. Teams are permitted to carry 29 players on their active roster for any doubleheaders played during the final month of the regular season.
Just like with normal MLB roster rules leading up to the last month, there is a limit on the number of pitchers allowed to be active. And although teams are provided two additional roster spots for September, only 14 can be pitchers. Thus, clubs are effectively adding one position player and one pitcher for September.
Of course, the specific players could change if those called up or reinstated from the injured list have Minor League options remaining. But the 2022 rule change of implementing a maximum of five options per player each year is still in effect.
Those began counting May 2, which was the first day of the 2022 season that active rosters were reduced from 28 to 26 players.
Postseason rosters will be 26 players, with the traditional limit of 13 active pitchers enforced.
MLB expanded roster history
Through the 2019 season, MLB expanded rosters for September amounted to teams being permitted to have up to 40 active players. Not all teams utilized the extra spots to its full potential, which created instances of significant disparity.
Furthermore, a slew of relief pitchers typically were added, and in turn was a factor in slowing pace of play and leading to longer time of game for the final month of the regular season.
Starting with the 2020 season, MLB reduced expanded rosters to 28 players. However, that number was in effect for the entirety of the shortened 60-game schedule. The 2021 season saw 26 players on active rosters until they expanded to 28 come September.
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