Report: 'Growing belief' NL could add DH by 2021

A universal designated hitter could be coming to Major League Baseball in the near future.

There is a growing belief among National League general managers that the DH will be instituted in the Senior Circuit as early as 2021, according to Jim Bowden of The Athletic.

However, there are conflicting reports on the subject. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, a DH likely can't be implemented until 2022 after the current collective bargaining agreement expires. Rosenthal added that a trade-off would be required, and that it’s doubtful MLB and the players' association will re-open the CBA while relations between two sides remain uneasy.

The league and the union reportedly exchanged proposals for rule changes in January 2019, which included the players seeking a universal DH. That request was apparently in response to MLB wanting to impose a three-batter minimum for pitchers - a change that is being implemented in 2020.

League-wide changes to the active roster size and injured list are also being rolled out in the upcoming season.