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In Baseball, what is a Disabled List?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Baseball players who are injured may be placed on a disabled list, similar to the injured reserve status for football players. Unlike the injured reserve status, however, this list does not preclude baseball players from returning to active status during a season.

There are two different lists: a player can be placed on a 15 day or a 60 day disabled list, depending upon the extent of injury. Since baseball teams maintain a roster of eligible players, a temporary placement on the list means that a team can reconfigure its roster and invite healthy players to fill in for the injured player.

The disable list is comprised of injured baseball players.
The disable list is comprised of injured baseball players.

If a player is on a 60 day disabled list, the team will usually look for a replacement player outside of its team. They might fill the roster with a minor league member, or they might be able to replace the empty space on the roster with someone who has been injured and is now recovered.

Major league baseball teams are limited in their roster to 40 players, so it is sometimes necessary to put a seriously injured player on the disabled list in order to get around the 40-man limit. The person is only considered off the roster if he is on a 60 day disabled list, however.

Major League Baseball teams are limited to a 40 man roster.
Major League Baseball teams are limited to a 40 man roster.

Sometimes, it is valuable not to put a player on a disabled list. A key player, who might be able to play in a few games, is usually not listed on the chance that he will be able to rejoin his team quickly. If the extent of the injury suggests that player will really need time off to recover, however, then the team must be able to fill the roster with active and uninjured players.

A baseball player may be placed on a 15 or 60 day disabled list.
A baseball player may be placed on a 15 or 60 day disabled list.

Usually, the 15 and 60 day disabled lists mean that an injured player cannot return to the team before the length of days specified. Unless the player has an injury that is likely to affect him for the season, placing a player on the shorter list is preferable.

The days counted begin with the player's first missed game. So if a player has been unable to play for a week prior to being placed on a 15 day disabled list, he would technically be able to play again in eight days.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent Sports&Hobbies contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent Sports&Hobbies contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon204628

Does a player on the DL still get paid?

anon107975

If a player is on the disabled list like Chipper Jones, are they required to be at the ballpark in uniform or is does he just want to be there?

anon30415

Does a major league baseball player still get paid while on the disabled list?

anon1643

Are the Disabled List rules for the Minor Leagues the same as for the Major Leagues? If not, what are they? I believe I have seen some Minor League players listed as Disabled for "7 days," but not returning for about 30 days. What is the story?

Sue

Does a player on the DL list get paid still?

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    • The disable list is comprised of injured baseball players.
      By: LE Media
      The disable list is comprised of injured baseball players.
    • Major League Baseball teams are limited to a 40 man roster.
      By: ASP Inc
      Major League Baseball teams are limited to a 40 man roster.
    • A baseball player may be placed on a 15 or 60 day disabled list.
      By: llandrea
      A baseball player may be placed on a 15 or 60 day disabled list.
    • In football, players who are injured are put on injured reserve.
      By: Brocreative
      In football, players who are injured are put on injured reserve.