MLB Makes Some Rule Changes

The MLB has announced some new rules changes. The new rules will affect the MLB team's roster sizes and pitchers. 

Pitcher Minimum - Pitchers now must face a minimum of three batters or complete the half-inning in question before being removed from the game. Allowances are made for pitchers who are injured while in the game. This new rule, which will largely do away with one- and two-batter relief appearances, will be in force as of the March 12 spring training schedule. 

Roster Size - Each team's active roster will expand from 25 to 26 spots for the 2020 season, and teams may now carry no more than 13 pitchers on the active roster at any given time. On Sept. 1 of each season, all teams will be required to carry 28 players with no more than 14 pitchers through the end of the regular season

Two-Way Players - Players who qualify as "two-way players" may appear as pitchers during a game without counting toward those aforementioned pitcher roster limitations. A player will qualify as a two-way player only if he has at least 20 innings pitched in MLB; and at least 20 MLB games started as a position player or designated hitter -- with at least three plate appearances in each of those games

Manager Challenge - Managers now have 20 seconds to ask for a challenge. The amount of time was reduced from 30 seconds previously.