The powers that be in Major League Baseball are once again discussing potential rule changes for the upcoming season. I’m not sure why they do this so close to spring training, but Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that the owners and MLB Players Association (MLBPA) have exchanged proposals of various rule changes that the two sides would like to implement, possibly as early as 2019.
The highlight of Rosenthal’s article is a proposed rule that would force pitchers to face a minimum of three batters upon entering the game. This would apply to both openers, who became a new fad during the 2018 season, as well as late-inning relievers.