Lockout The expiration of the league's collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the Major League Baseball Players Association occurred on December 1, 2021 with no new agreement in place. As a result, the team owners voted unanimously to
lockout the players stopping all free agency and trades. The parties came to an agreement on a new CBA on March 10, 2022.
Rule changes Pursuant to the new CBA, several new rules were instituted for the 2022 season. The National League will adopt the
designated hitter full-time, a draft lottery will be implemented, the postseason will expand from ten teams to twelve, and advertising patches will appear on player uniforms and helmets for the first time.