MLB, Players Association reach deal on COVID-19 protocols and rule changes for 2021, sources say

Major League Baseball and the Players Association failed to agree on a shortened season to better cope with the pandemic, but they did reach a compromise Monday night on trimming the length of some games again.

The two sides finalized the sport’s health and safety protocols for spring training and the regular season, according to multiple sources. Those will include the return of seven-inning doubleheaders as well as placing a runner on second base for extra innings.

Both measures were implemented for 2020 in order to limit time spent at the ballparks and help curtail potential COVID-19 outbreaks.

The seven-inning rule for doubleheaders became crucial last season to squeeze in games that had been postponed because of the pandemic, and with virus positivity rates still high (but declining nationwide), MLB expects to face similar challenges this year.

Seven-inning games seemed radical at the start, but the runner at second base for extra innings was even tougher for traditionalists. But MLB and the union realized the importance of it to lessen the physical strain on players, even during a 60-game season in 2020.

The fate of the universal DH, however, remains up in the air with spring training set to begin next week.

The Players Association would prefer the DH be included, but it has turned into a bargaining chip. MLB has tried to package it with expanded playoffs this winter, which the union has turned down.

The door has not completely closed on a universal DH and expanded playoffs for the 2021 season — remember, the postseason changes were announced on Opening Night last year — but a source indicated Monday that the outlook does not appear promising for either one.

Earlier this month, the union shot down MLB’s offer of delaying the season by a month and playing 154 games (at full 162-game pay) along with the DH and expanded playoffs.

The Players Association also refused to make a counteroffer before the two sides turned their attention to the health and safety protocols.

By David Lennon

dave.lennon@newsday.comDPLennon

David Lennon is an award-winning columnist, a voter for baseball's Hall of Fame and has covered six no-hitters, including two perfect games.