Report: MLB proposes reinstating 15-day DL to combat reliever manipulation

Major League Baseball has proposed reverting back to a 15-day disabled list and increasing the amount of time optioned players spend in the minor leagues, a source told The Associated Press.

The new proposed changes are aimed at reducing the use of relief pitchers and, by extension, reviving offense.

MLB included the proposal in a plan given to the players' association, which is apparently considering a separate proposition from last offseason to institute pitch clocks.

Increased DL stints and minor-league option use has led teams to rotate middle relievers with their minor-league affiliates to have more pitchers available each day, which can prevent starters from pitching through the lineup for a third time, AP adds.

In the reported proposal, an optioned player would have to spend at least 15 days in the minors, which would be an increase from 10 days. The limit could be waived to accommodate certain situations, however, such as a player being recalled to replace someone going on the DL, a drug or domestic violence suspension, or when a player is placed on bereavement or paternity leave.

In 2016, the minimum length of time a player spent on the disabled list was cut from 15 to 10 days. The change resulted in an increase of DL stints.

A total of 563 players were placed on the DL in 2016. The number increased to 702 in 2017 and 737 last season.