So, you’re saying there’s a chance?
Major League Baseball failed to reach a deal with the players union this offseason on a universal DH for the 2021 season, but San Diego Padres pitcher Yu Darvish seems to think it could still happen.
Darvish, who will start on Opening Day Thursday, was still holding out hope he would not have to step into a batter’s box this season.
“I have all the trust that MLB will make that happen,” he said.
Last year, MLB adopted the universal DH due to unusualness of playing a 60-game season in the midst of a pandemic.
But not long before the first pitch of the 2020 season was thrown, the union and league managed to strike a deal to expand the postseason to 16 teams and Darvish seems to believe another last-minute deal can be struck.
MLB’s offer for a universal DH in 2021 came with the caveat that the league would expand the postseason, push back Opening Day and reduce the schedule to 154 games.
The union rejected the final offer in February and the issue has been considered dead by MLB insiders since.
Whether or not there is a universal DH this year, the issue will be revisited in the winter after the current collective bargaining agreement expires on Dec. 1.
For now, Darvish and others are going to have to hope for a miracle in less than 24 hours or we will be seeing pitchers hit as usual in the National League.
LISTEN NOW on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram