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