"Three-batter Minimum" Influences Raley’s Astros Debut
Baseball is a funny game and 2020 has just made it funnier(?). Never mind that COVID-19 has turned the game on its head by banning high fives, implementing the “Wet Rag Rule”, and adding a courtesy baserunner in extras — just to name a few tweaks —MLB also enacted the
Baseball is a funny game and 2020 has just made it funnier(?). Never mind that COVID-19 has turned the game on its head by banning high fives, implementing the “Wet Rag Rule”, and adding a courtesy baserunner in extras — just to name a few tweaks —MLB also enacted the “Three-batter Minimum” for this season.
According to MLB.com, the rule “requires pitchers to either face a minimum of three batters in an appearance or pitch to the end of a half-inning, with exceptions for injuries and illnesses. If a pitcher faces one batter to end an inning, he may be removed, but if he is brought back for a second inning, he must still face two more batters for a total of three.”
The new structure hasn't had a glaring impact thus far, though it did make a difference in Brooks Raley’s Astros debut against San Francisco last night. Raley, an Iowa Cub in 2012 and 2013, was recently traded to Houston from Cincinnati.
The lefty took the ball from Zack Greinke with two on and one out in the seventh, before forcing Mauricio Dubon to fly out to right, and Mike Yastrezemski to strike out swinging. Fast forward to the eighth. Raley, unaware that Manager Dusty Baker was lifting him for Josh James, took the mound to warm up for the inning. Upon realizing that James was entering from the bullpen, Raley surrendered the ball, but according to the “Three-batter Minimum”, Raley had already re-entered the game by crossing the chalk, thus had to face at least one more batter.
Got some clarification on the top of the 8th.
— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) August 13, 2020
Apparently because Raley was still on the mound to start the 8th, he had to pitch to one batter. Three batter minimum rule doesn't matter after an inning. (h/t @LetsGet2Podcast & @BrianWinkler36 for clarifying) pic.twitter.com/7qwdDpfbg4
Wilmer Flores grounded out to mark Raley’s third batter faced. In the meantime, Baker changed strategies. The lefty stayed in the game, forcing Brandon Belt down on strikes and getting a fly out from Evan Longoria. At the end of the eighth, with everyone now on the same page, Raley’s evening ended. He allowed no baserunners through 1.2 innings and struck out two.
Raley was a Cubs sixth-round pick in 2009 and made his major league debut in Cubbie Blue in 2012. He remained in Chicago’s system until he was claimed off waivers by Minnesota in 2014. The Texas native split that season between the Twins and Angels Triple-A teams, before receiving his release in December.
Raley found a new home with the Lotte Giants in the Korean Baseball Organization, where he would go 48-53 with a 4.13 ERA (418ER/910.2IP) and 755 strikeouts over the next five seasons. He signed his first MLB affiliated contract since 2014 with Cincinnati earlier this year, inking a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. Raley’s contract was selected by the Reds from their alternate site in Chattanooga on July 19. He collected a 9.00 ERA (4ER/4.0IP) in four appearances for the big league club prior to the Aug. 10 trade to Houston.