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

What’s the ‘Shohei Ohtani rule?’

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

Under a new rule nicknamed the “Shohei Ohtani rule,” a team can list a player as the pitcher and designated hitter on the days he starts, then remove him in one role but not the other.

From Los Angeles Times

Two new rules — the adoption of the universal designated hitter and the so-called “Ohtani rule,” which will allow a player to start a game as a pitcher and DH and continue as DH when he is no longer pitching — should help.

From Los Angeles Times

And with that, the Ohtani Rule was born.

From New York Times