MLB Rumors: Extra-Inning 'Ghost' Runner Permanent for All Regular-Season Games

Rob Manfred's most controversial rule change—the extra-inning runner rule—is here to stay.

Permanently.

MLB's Joint Competition Committee unanimously voted to adopt the rule moving forward, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN.

MLB adopted the rule, which sees a runner placed on second base at the beginning of every extra inning, in 2020 as a way to combat potential issues with longer games during the COVID-19 pandemic. By shortening extra-inning games, teams would have access to a greater number of relievers in subsequent contests.

The rule carried over for the 2021 and 2022 seasons despite the disdain of many fans.

When it looked like the rule would be taken out for the 2022 season, the reaction was overwhelmingly positive. However, reports at the time jumped the gun and MLB voted to continue the rule—setting the stage for it becoming permanent Monday.

Manfred has continually thumbed his nose at baseball traditionalists, reshaping the game in ways he hopes will shorten game times and attract young viewers.

MLB will adopt a pitch clock—15 seconds with bases empty, 20 seconds with runners on base—starting with this season, and pick-off attempts will be limited to two per at-bat. The infield shift, which had become one of the biggest analytics-based changes in the game in recent years, has also been banned for this season.

Those rules come in addition to previous changes, which include requiring pitchers to face at least three batters and the adoption of a universal designated hitter. There may be no commissioner in history who has changed more rules to the game of baseball—and certainly none who has changed so many rules in rapid succession.