Rest DL

[Edgy MD]

Reports are out and about that Sandy Alderson has petitioned MLB for the establishment of a "Rest DL" --- a designation that allows a pitcher (or possibly any other player, depending on which report you buy) who is not explicitly injured to rest for seven days or more. This obviously would be something triggered by their desire to build a sound plan to remain as competitive as possible while not over-using Matt Harvey in his first season back from ligament replacement surgery.

Alderson, for his part, denies these reports. Josh Donaldson, upon hearing of the potential rest DL, immediately asked to be placed on it.

I'm gleaning this from secondary sources, as I can't access ESP at work.

[MFS62]

If a team wants to rest a player, they can do that now by simply not playing him. Seems this would
allow them to replace that player on the 25 man for that week, so that the manager wouldn't be tempted to use the player in a key game situation during that time.
To me, if a player's injured, he's injured. DL him.
If not, formalizing a rest period is just a way to wussify the game.

Later

[Ceetar]

MFS62 wrote: If a team wants to rest a player, they can do that now by simply not playing him. Seems this would allow them to replace that player on the 25 man for that week, so that the manager wouldn't be tempted to use the player in a key game situation during that time. To me, if a player's injured, he's injured. DL him. If not, formalizing a rest period is just a way to wussify the game. Later

nah, it's not about wussifying, it's about protecting guys that might otherwise be forced to play injured.

Well, really it's not even that. It's about creating an official legitimate process for something teams already do. 'Weak arm' DL stints are common. It's not like teams are ever called to account for fake assignments. The Mets did it to Oliver Perez and the (Phillies I think) bitched and MLB investigated and decided it was fine. The idea being if you look at a pitcher's arm you'll find something messed up. it's unnatural.

Guys with options have it happen all the time. Oh, we're demoting you for a reliever, you'll skip a start and we'll recall you.

This just means they can rest a guy one start instead of the 2-3 that a 15day DL stint requires unless you fake a concussion.

[Guest d'Kong76]

How secondary are these sources?

[Edgy MD]

MFS62 wrote: If a team wants to rest a player, they can do that now by simply not playing him.

Yes, but the concern is that they would need an active body to replace him.

MFS62 wrote: Seems this would allow them to replace that player on the 25 man for that week, so that the manager wouldn't be tempted to use the player in a key game situation during that time.

That's what's supposedly being proposed, but that's not currently allowed, as the DL has a 15-game minimum.

d'Kong76 wrote: How secondary are these sources?

HVAC Guy is talking again.

[Ceetar]

Edgy MD wrote: d'Kong76 wrote: How secondary are these sources? HVAC Guy is talking again.

It's amazing what you can find out hanging out in the heating vents at MLB HQ.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Edgy MD wrote: HVAC Guy is talking again.

There's a ceiling duct blast from the past!

[RealityChuck]

Sandy has said that some people (especially the team doctors) have talked about the idea, but it hasn't gotten past the "is this a good idea?" stage.

The DL would allow the team to bring up someone from the minors to spot start, so it's better than just skipping a turn. It certainly is something to consider, maybe only until September 1, when there will be bodies available.

[Frayed Knot]

MFS62 wrote: ... formalizing a rest period is just a way to wussify the game.

More like another step in increasing specialization.
Got a road trip against teams with a bunch of LHPs slated to go - 'Hey Duda you look like you could use a rest, and if anyone asks this was your idea, OK?'

And the stuff you could pull with starting pitchers is even more open-ended. Yanx pitchers might not even have their yearly sprains of their upper-left cytomendicular joints right before the all star break if they can suddenly take week-long cat-naps at other times.