Associated Press

Apr 20, 2026, 07:26 PM ET

CHICAGO -- Cubs manager Craig Counsell thinks a Major League Baseball rule that allows the Los Angeles Dodgers to carry 14 pitchers because of Shohei Ohtani is "bizarre."

Major league teams are allowed to have a maximum of 13 pitchers on their active 26-man roster from opening day through Aug. 31. From Sept. 1 through the end of the season, the roster limits increase to 14 pitchers and 28 active players.

But Ohtani is designated as a two-way player, which means he doesn't count as a pitcher. So, the reigning World Series champions have 14 pitchers on their active roster.

Asked about the 13-pitcher limit before Monday's series opener against Philadelphia, Counsell said he has never understood the reasoning for the restriction.

"It's a rule to help offense, I think, more than anything, if you ask me," Counsell said. "And then there's one team that's allowed to carry basically one of both, and that he gets special consideration.…