Manfred: 7-inning doubleheaders, extra-innings runner likely dropped in 2022

Major League Baseball could say goodbye to seven-inning doubleheaders and the extra-innings runner rule in the near future, according to commissioner Rob Manfred.

"I don't think seven-inning doubleheaders are going to be a part of our future going forward," Manfred said on Tuesday, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.

Manfred explained the two items could be nixed when conditions return to normal throughout MLB.

Manfred then added the runner on second rule in extra innings is also a COVID-related rule, which means it also may go away when conditions return to normal.
— JJ Cooper (@jjcoop36) July 13, 2021

MLB and the MLBPA agreed to use seven-inning doubleheaders and the extra-innings rule during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season to help alleviate the burden of rescheduling games that were postponed because of COVID-19.

The two items returned for 2021 after MLB and the MLBPA reached an agreement on health and safety protocols last February.