Considering the 2020 Major League Baseball season was a shortened due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the league used it as an opportunity to test out a variety of new rules.
One of those rules was the implementation of a universal designated hitter, so pitchers did not hit in the National League for a year. The universal DH was essentially universally liked across the league and the hope was that it would remain in place moving forward.
With the current collective bargaining agreement up next year, the expectation is that it will be put in place for good beginning in 2022.
As far as the 2021 season goes, teams were told to plan on the NL not having a DH, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic:
MLB instructed clubs in a memo last week to proceed under the assumption the DH will not be used in the NL this year, though few will complain if the league and union reach agreement to the contrary.
This news comes as a bit of a surprise considering how successful and widely accepted it wound up being. Of course, things can certainly change between now and the start of Spring Training.
It was recent revealed that teams are looking for a trade-off if they are to have a universal DH in 2021, such as an expanded postseason once again.
Hopefully MLB is able to make a decision soon as this is certainly important information for NL teams to know before building their roster for the upcoming season.
The Los Angeles Dodgers were among those that were able to benefit greatly from having a DH in 2020 as their long lineup got even longer and a number of their regular players were able to get some extra time off their feet.
Friedman assuming NL won’t have DH in 2021
Even before this most recent report, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said the organization has been preparing as if there won’t be a universal DH in 2021.
That could affect the Dodgers’ decision to sign certain free agents such as Justin Turner, who is getting up there in age and can use days as a DH to stay healthy to finish out his career.
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