Shohei Ohtani's two-way player rule sparks renewed controversy; Cubs manager Craig Counsell bluntly calls it the most absurd regulation.

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell today publicly criticized MLB's current "two-way player rule," arguing that it unfairly advantages the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have Shohei Ohtani. Because Ohtani qualifies as a "two-way player" and does not count against the pitcher limit, the Dodgers can carry 14 pitchers on their 26-man roster until late August, giving them one extra bullpen arm compared to other teams. Counsell expressed dissatisfaction, stating that this special consideration for a specific player is extremely "absurd."

From Opening Day through August 31, MLB teams are allowed a maximum of 13 pitchers on their 26-man active roster. From September 1 until the end of the season, the roster restrictions are relaxed to 14 pitchers and 28 active players.

However, Shohei Ohtani is designated as a "two-way player," meaning he is not counted against the pitcher limit. Consequently, this reigning World Series champion team effectively has 14 pitchers on its active roster.

When asked about the 13-pitcher limit, Counsell said he never understood the original intent of this restriction. "If you ask me, I think this rule was designed to encourage offense, yet one team is allowed to have a player who serves both as a pitcher and a hitter, and that player receives special treatment. That's probably the most absurd rule."

The criteria for being recognized as a "two-way player" are: the player must pitch at least 20 innings in MLB and start at least 20 games as a position player or designated hitter in MLB, with at least three plate appearances per game. The player must meet these statistics in either the current season or any of the past two seasons.

This designation came into effect in the 2020 season. Currently 31-year-old Shohei Ohtani is the only player who meets this standard. "Although no other player can do what he does, having one team follow different rules because of that one player is truly absurd," Counsell remarked.