Updated 2/9/21, 12:30 PM

Major League Baseball has officially announced the Health and Safety Protocols for spring training and the 2021 regular season.

As expected, the seven-inning double headers and runner on second the begin extra innings rule have been carried over to this season.

The universal designated hitter is not part of the agreement, and the active roster limit has been reverted back to 26 players, but will expand to 28 in September. Teams however, are still permitted to carry up to five Taxi Squad players on road trips.

On the COVID front, some of the key points included in the protocols are:

  • A mandatory five day at-home quarantine for player and staff before reporting to spring training.
  • Teams appointing an Infection Control Prevention Coordinator and Compliance Officer responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance of health and safety protocols.
  • Kinexon contact tracing devices must be worn at all times while in Club facilities, during Club-directed travel, and while engaged in team activities.
  • Prohibitions against unsportsmanlike conduct will be strictly enforced to prevent unnecessary physical contact and support physical distancing between individuals on the field.
  • Anyone who violates the Code of Conduct is subject to potential discipline, including suspension or forfeiture of salary for days spent away from the Club while in mandatory self-isolation.

These are just a few of the points made, but you can check out the full release on the league’s new protocols for the upcoming season here, via Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.

Original Post:

With Spring Training and the 2021 MLB season rapidly approaching, Major League Baseball and the MLPA have officially finalized the health and safety protocols for the upcoming season.

As first reported by Hannah Keyser of Yahoo Sports, among the aspects of the agreed-upon health and safety protocols are the return of seven-inning double headers and the runner on second in extra innings rule, which we saw implemented as part of the 2020 season protocols.

Of note, both Keyser and Joel Sherman of the New York Post mentioned that there is no universal designated hitter as part of the agreement. However, as SNY’s Andy Martino tweeted earlier today, the universal DH could still come up in negotiations before the season as MLB views it as more of an economic issue.

The MLBPA is not expected to consider swapping the universal DH for expanded playoffs, however the union does still want the DH implemented to help keep pitchers healthy and reduce their potential of getting injured at the plate or running the bases.

MLB’s purpose of continuing the seven-inning double headers into 2021 is to make sure all games get played this season amidst the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Both the seven-inning double headers and runner on second rule have been in play at the Minor League level since 2019, and both have appeared to somewhat pick up the pace of play and speed up extra inning affairs.

Though they were both used during the COVID-19-shortened MLB season, there is still debate as to if  they should be implemented for good at the Major League level. Though one thing is for certain, and that is that we will see both rules implemented again in 2021.