After implementing major rules changes last season to hasten games and create more action on the bases, MLB is now taking aim at other ways to spur offense and curb the rising tide of arm injuries. As Jesse Rodgers of ESPN reported, league officials are toying with several changes to pitching rules, including a six-inning minimum for starting pitchers and a limit on pitching staff sizes.
Forcing starters to go at least six innings could spell disaster for Javier Assad, who went 4.2 Wednesday night for the longest of his last three outings. He’s only lasted six frames once in his last 13 starts and four times in 22 starts this season.