Baseball · MLB / Rule 05

The designated hitter

MLB · 2025

Last checked: 14 October 2026
Source: MLB Official Baseball Rules 2025 · Source pages: 74–77

In short

Batting for the pitcher and the starting pitcher’s dual role.

On this page

Using the DH

A designated hitter bats for the pitcher in a fixed batting-order position and must be identified before the game. A substitute hitter or runner for the DH assumes that role. A replaced DH cannot return. Moving the DH to a fielding position ordinarily ends the team’s DH use for the rest of the game, as do other specified changes.

Starting pitcher as DH

The starting pitcher may also be listed separately as the DH on the original lineup card. Removing that player as pitcher does not automatically remove him as DH, or vice versa. This special separation is established only for the starter; a later replacement cannot inherit both roles as separate people. Moving that player to another defensive position ends the DH role.

Independent explanations and translations, not official federation publications. Based on the supplied MLB Official Baseball Rules 2025. Separate operational regulations and later amendments are not inferred. References use physical PDF pages. Explanations are condensed; the supplied edition and its stated competition conditions determine scope.
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