Report: MLBPA Asks Players to Consider Seven-Inning Doubleheaders

MLB could potentially pivot to using seven-inning doubleheaders in 2020, according to The Athletic's Britt Ghiroli.

The MLB Players Association is asking its players to consider a rules change regarding doubleheaders in 2020, according to The Athletic's Britt Ghiroli.

The MLBPA's proposal would include either one 9-inning and one 7-inning game in a doubleheader, or alternatively a pair of 7-inning games, per Ghiroli. There could also be an extension for the period in which teams use the current 30-man roster, which was supposed to decline to 28 players after two weeks, and then to 26 men two weeks after that.

Sources: Union is asking players to consider rules adjustments to maximize their health, according to a memo sent today. On doubleheaders, consideration is a 9-inning & 7-inning game or two 7-inning games. On rosters, question is whether to extend 30-man limit for additional time

— Britt Ghiroli (@Britt_Ghiroli) July 29, 2020

MLB has run into a slate of scheduling issues in the first week of the 2020 season. The Marlins will not play until Aug. 4 after over a dozen players tested positive for COVID-19 in recent days. Miami's stream of positive tests has sidelined the Phillies until Friday, and the Yankees had a pair of games with Philadelphia postponed due to the positive COVID-19 tests.

New York will take the field in Baltimore on Wednesday and Thursday instead of playing its series against the Phillies; the Orioles previously were scheduled to play the Marlins. Miami is the only team to register a positive test during the 2020 season.