Jomboy Media Partners with MLB, Discusses Rule Changes & Ohtani's Rehab

Jomboy Media's MLB Partnership

• 🤝 Jomboy Media has officially partnered with Major League Baseball, with MLB investing in the company.
• 🚀 This partnership aims to grow the game of baseball by leveraging Jomboy's reach and unique content style.
• 💡 The core agreement ensures Jomboy Media can continue its content creation with more access and a louder voice, without compromising its established identity.
• 📈 The deal is expected to open up new opportunities, including potential for cool merchandise using team logos.

Proposed Rule Changes and ABS System

• ⚾ Rob Manfred has proposed an ABS (Automatic Ball-Strike) challenge system for 2026, allowing players to challenge umpire calls on balls and strikes.
• ❓ While players liked the idea in spring training, concerns remain about challenging calls in regular season games and the potential for misuse.
• 🧐 The system aims to reduce egregious calls, but the human element of umpires expanding the strike zone in certain game situations is seen as valuable and will be retained.
• ⚠️ A proposed new check swing rule is deemed too extreme, with a 45-degree angle past the plate being considered, which the hosts believe hitters will exploit.

Position Players Pitching and Mercy Rule

• 🚫 The hosts strongly advocate for banning position players from pitching, viewing it as a bad look for the sport and a sign of teams forfeiting.
• 📉 It's argued that this practice undermines strategic bullpen management and the competitive integrity of games.
• 🤔 A mercy rule is suggested as a potential solution to end lopsided games, possibly serving as a tiebreaker or offering a reward for dominant wins.

Shohei Ohtani's Rehab and Dodgers' Pitching Woes

• 🏥 Shohei Ohtani is progressing in his rehab, having thrown 44 pitches over three simulated innings.
• ⚾ The Dodgers, facing significant pitching injuries, are tempted to expedite Ohtani's return, but the hosts advise against rushing him.
• 🎯 The consensus is that Ohtani should be built up to at least 75 pitches as a starting pitcher, not a reliever, to maintain his routine and effectiveness.
• 💰 The Dodgers' situation highlights a need to acquire starting pitching and bullpen help through trades rather than relying on Ohtani's premature return.