(RADIO.COM Sports) MLB is carrying over some of its rule changes from 2020 into the 2021 season.
The league and players' union reached a health and safety protocol agreement, according to multiple reports, which includes implementing seven-inning doubleheaders and returning the rule in which a runner is placed on second base to start each extra inning. Notably, the agreement doesn't include the universal designated hitter.
The seven-inning doubleheaders and extra-inning rule were first instituted last season in order for MLB to cut down on the time spent on the field as well as making rescheduling games easier amid the coronavirus pandemic. While MLB is set to play a full 162-game season in 2021, the pandemic is still ongoing and the rules are meant to benefit player safety.
The universal DH has been a hot-button topic for fans and players this winter, but the league has said it's not a health and safety issue, which is why it wasn't a part of this agreement.
MLB is also looking at the successes of other leagues and their handling of COVID-19, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported, particularly the NBA's tracing technology that has allowed for better discovery of close contacts whenever there's a positive test.
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