MLB Players Propose Limiting Optional Assignments To Minor Leagues, More

July 2, 2026 - 00:01

Major League Baseball players have formally proposed a change to the rules governing optional assignments, suggesting the limit be reduced from five per season to just three. The proposal, presented during ongoing collective bargaining discussions, targets a mechanism that teams frequently use to shuttle players between the majors and minors without exposing them to waivers.

Under the current system, a player on a 40-man roster can be optioned to the minor leagues up to five times in a single season. This allows clubs to manage roster spots aggressively, often moving pitchers and position players back and forth to maximize bullpen depth or cover for injuries. Players argue that the frequent travel and instability disrupts their routines, adds physical strain, and creates an unfair advantage for teams that treat the minor leagues as a taxi squad.

The proposed change would limit those moves to three per season, giving players more predictability and reducing the number of times they must uproot their lives. The union is also seeking adjustments to service time rules and expanded salary arbitration eligibility, though the option limit has become a central point of contention.

Team owners have pushed back, arguing that the current flexibility is essential for managing a 162-game season. They claim reducing options would force teams to carry injured or struggling players longer, potentially harming competitive balance. Negotiations are expected to continue as both sides work toward a new labor agreement before the current one expires.