Report: MLB, MLBPA agree to expanded rosters, new Ohtani rule

Major League Baseball and the MLBPA have reached an agreement on rule changes, including temporary expanded rosters to accommodate a shortened spring training, reports the New York Post's Joel Sherman.

Rosters will expand from 26 players to 28 through May 1.

The two sides also tentatively agreed to bring back the ghost-runner rule in extra innings for the 2022 season, as well as eliminate seven-inning doubleheaders in favor of the customary nine innings, according to Sherman.

There will also be the inclusion of a new rule affecting two-way players like American League MVP Shohei Ohtani. It stipulates that if a pitcher is also hitting in the lineup, that player must remain as DH after they are removed from their outing. The rule will stay in place through the life of the collective bargaining agreement.

Owners still need to vote whether to ratify the changes, but the rules are all expected to pass, Sherman adds.