MLB reportedly weighing six-inning requirement for starting pitchers: How mandatory outings could work

Starting pitchers are averaging about 5 1/3 innings per appearance in 2024

By Matt Snyder Aug 15, 2024 at 10:45 am ET• 1 min read

For the last several years, Major League Baseball has grappled with the idea that it wants starting pitchers to be much more of a "main character" type player, the way they were decades ago. This discussion has moved into drastic-measure territory, apparently. According to an ESPN report, MLB is kicking around the idea of requiring starting pitchers to work at least six innings, though there are caveats.

At first blush, it might sound ridiculous because of the possibility that a pitcher could carry an excessively heavy workload in early innings, got completely shelled or fall injured. In any of those cases, shouldn't a team be allowed to remove the starting pitcher? 

Sure enough, the report indicates that the exceptions to the proposed six-inning minimum could include:

• Throwing 100 pitches

• Giving up four or more earned runs

• Getting injured (with a required injured list stint to avoid manipulation)

Don't expect this to happen any time soon. MLB isn't yet to the stage where it would be testing the mandate in the minors or even in independent leagues, and teams would need plenty of warning to begin stretching out pitchers and reconsidering workloads. We're years away from any implementation in the majors, if it ever happens, but it's very interesting that it's being discussed.