Detroit Tigers Spring Training - Voice of the Turtle - Ernie Harwell - YouTube
Some interesting changes coming. These are the proposals going back and forth between MLB/MLBPA
1) MLBPA is pushing for universal DH, and wants it in time for the 2019 season. While it's not going to happen this year, it's going to happen sooner or later. (If I had to guess, I would say that this is one of the things that gets thrown in to satisfy the players after the 2021 strike/CBA bargaining)
2) MLB wants to reduce mound visits to a max 3 per team per game in 2020. (I think this is ridiculous, personally. I can understand you don't want the great debate out there, but this is way past ridiculous)
3) MLB has offered to raise the amount of players on the roster from 25 to 26, but they want to reduce the expanded rosters (Sept1) from 40 to 28. (I would support reducing the 40 man expanded rosters to something like 32-34)
4) MLB wants to pass a rule requiring pitchers to stay in the game for at least three batters. (My response: Hey purists, want to defend the sanctity of the game? You keep talking about how double switches and lineup shenanigans to pinch hit for the pitchers is part of the game, how is limiting Strategic reliever match ups a good thing. If they absolutely MUST have it, which I'm strongly against, it should be two batters, MAX.)
5) Last year's pace-of-play proposals (20 second pitch clock, reduction of total mound visits to 5, and baserunners start on base after 10th inning of Spring Training and All-Star Game) will be put into place this year with or without MLBPA ok.
(the Athletic piece mentioned in this story is behind their paywall)
MLB rule changes for 2019? Three-batter requirement for all pitchers, universal DH reportedly being discussed - CBSSports.com