MLB Rumors: Extra-Inning 'Ghost Runner' Rule Likely to Return for 2022 Season

Major League Baseball is considering bringing back the ghost runner on second base for games that go to extra innings, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network. 

Per that report, "MLB is listening to managers who want to avoid testing arms after short spring."

The ghost runner rule—which automatically places a runner on second base to start extra innings in an effort to shorten games—has been in place for each of the past two seasons. It expired after the 2021 season, however.

But players are reportedly in favor of reinstating it. Per The Athletic's Jayson Stark and Matt Gelb, "the union surveyed player reps for all 30 teams Sunday to gauge player interest. Early indications are that players heavily support it. But negotiators continued to discuss it Monday, on several levels."

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has also expressed support for the rule on more than one occasion, per that report.

The ghost runner rule has had its desired effect. Stark and Gelb noted that only 16 games last season went past 11 innings, down from 60 in 2019. And just one game reached 15 innings, compared to 15 in 2019.

"We can appreciate the tradition," a veteran pitcher told Stark and Gelb. "But I think it has worked. Games end sooner and in an exciting way. No more 18-inning games where guys get hurt or it kills your team for a week or two. Or a guy gets sent down for throwing four great innings in relief, but you need a warm body for tomorrow."