MLB permitted teams to carry 28 players (29 in the case of a doubleheader) for the first month of the regular season with a plan to not limit how many pitchers they could include until May 2.
Active rosters were enforced back down to their usual 26 players on May 2 as originally planned, but teams were permitted to carry an extra pitcher through May 29 to bring them to 14 total.
MLB and the Players Association (MLBPA) then agreed to extend the deadline for teams to carry 14 pitchers on their active rosters through June 19.
That will now change Monday, as according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, MLB informed teams they will no longer be able to carry more than 13 pitchers on their active roster beginning June 20:
MLB sent memo to GMs, asst. GMs and managers yesterday saying that as of Monday, the limitation on the number of pitchers on an active roster will be 13. Rule originally intended to begin in ‘20 finally will take effect. Earlier this season, MLB twice extended 14-pitcher limit.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) June 17, 2022
MLB originally allowed teams to carry a maximum of 14 pitchers on their active roster in the interest of health as a result of the shortened Spring Training period. Tracing further back, a 13-pitcher limit was originally due to be implemented in 2020.
However, challenges and a unique set of circumstances brought about by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic prompted an adjustment.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have taken advantage by carrying upwards of 14 pitchers on their active roster the past few years, and in particular this season.
Dodgers roster will undergo changes due to MLB rule
With teams required to carry no more than 13 pitchers beginning Monday, the Dodgers roster could look vastly different soon. “Well, it’s going to change the construction of the roster,” manager Dave Roberts acknowledged.
“We’re going to have another position player, we’re going to be down to eight relievers. So that’s two guys in the ‘pen that aren’t going to be with us. I don’t know who those guys are yet.
“And if we do make the move for (Andrew) Heaney on Sunday, that’s a spot before them. So there’s going to be some roster gymnastics here in the next few days.”
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