Ohtani rule

[oh-ton-ee rool]

noun

Baseball.

1. a rule that allows the pitcher to be assigned to the designated hitter spot in the batting order and to remain as the designated hitter even if replaced on the mound by another pitcher.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Ohtani rule¹

Named after Shohei Ohtani (born 1994), whose exceptional performance with the Los Angeles Angels as both a pitcher and a hitter gave rise to the rule, which was made official by Major League Baseball in 2022

Example Sentences

That was the end of Ohtani's night as the pitcher, but under a 2022 regulation change known as the 'Ohtani rule',, external he was allowed to remain in the game as designated hitter.

Read more on BBC

The Ohtani Rule, as it’s known, is why the Los Angeles Dodgers now face an unprecedented question as they prepare for Saturday’s World Series Game 7.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

That’s because the Ohtani Rule only applies to starting pitchers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

What’s the ‘Shohei Ohtani rule?’

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The ‘Shohei Ohtani rule’ will benefit teams beyond just the Angels and their two-way star.

Read more on Los Angeles Times