Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts has expressed a desire to see Major League Baseball eliminate the practice of position players pitching in games. Betts stated that once a position player enters the game to pitch, the game should effectively be considered over.
"Once position players come in (to pitch), just call the game," Betts told Sports Illustrated during the All-Star break. "That’s pretty much it. Once you’re down 10 and the position player comes in, just call it a day."
While Betts generally approves of other recent MLB changes, including the pitch clock, enlarged bases, and the automated ball-strike system (ABS), the use of position players on the mound is a notable exception.
The trend of position players pitching has seen an increase in recent seasons. From just three instances in 2008, the number rose to 90 in 2019 and reached an all-time high of 132 in 2022.
MLB implemented rule changes regarding position players pitching before the 2023 season. These rules permit such appearances only in specific scenarios: during extra innings, if a team trails by eight or more runs at any point, or if a team is leading by 10 or more runs in the ninth inning. Previously, position players could pitch if a team held a lead of six runs or more.
Following the rule modification, the number of appearances by position players decreased in the years after but rebounded. In 2025, position players pitched 131 times. As of the halfway point of the 2026 season, 83 appearances have been made by position players, with 39 different individuals taking the mound. Colorado catcher Brett Sullivan leads this group with six innings pitched over five appearances.
Betts articulated his view on the player experience when facing a position player pitcher, describing it as a "lose-lose" situation. He noted that while any hit achieved is expected, the difficulty of securing one against a non-regular pitcher is high. Conversely, making an out is met with the diminished satisfaction of being retired by a position player, leading Betts to suggest it would be preferable to end the game in such circumstances.