Major League Baseball Lockout Ends

     The Major League Baseball lockout has ended after 99 days. The lockout was implemented by Major League Baseball owners on December 2 when a collective bargaining agreement could not be ratified upon by the Major League Baseball Players Association. The new collective bargaining agreement will go from the 2022 season to the 2026 season.  

     All actions by 30 Major League Baseball clubs can now occur after being stopped due to the lockout. It means that teams can sign free agents and make trades again. 

     The 2022 regular season, which is scheduled for 162 games, will begin on April 7. The number of playoff teams have increased from 10 teams to 12 teams. Both leagues will have six teams each for the postseason. The top two division winners in the American League and National League will have a first-round bye. The lowest division winners will take on the lowest wild-card record while the top two wild-card clubs will face each other. All first-round play will be the best-of-three series. 

     The single-elimination, wild-card game involving the two wild-card teams has been stopped. It was played from 2012 to 2021 when five playoff clubs from both leagues made the postseason. 

     There will now be a universal designated hitter for both the National League and American League beginning this year.  The National League used the designated hitter rule in the shortened 2020 season. The American League has placed the designated hitter in their lineup since 1973. 

     The Marlins will open their 2022 campaign at the San Francisco Giants on April 8 to begin a three-game series. Following a two-game stop in Anaheim against the Los Angeles Angels, Miami will have their home opener on April 14 versus the Philadelphia Phillies.