Max Scherzer has put forward one of the most striking pitcher rule ideas in modern MLB, calling for starting pitchers to be required to reach 100 pitches before they can be removed from a game.
The proposal would mark a major shift in how clubs manage starters, bullpens and in-game strategy.
It also lands at a time when MLB has already been exploring ways to keep starting pitchers working deeper into games.
Scherzer’s 100-pitch idea came from a clip shared by Jomboy Media
Jomboy Media posted a clip on X on June 15, 2026, with the clip credited to MLBFITS. The post said Scherzer wants MLB to introduce a minimum pitch requirement for starting pitchers.
Scherzer, who joined the Toronto Blue Jays on a one-year deal for the 2026 season, is putting forward a proposal that would immediately affect how teams value the starting role.
The idea is clear. A starting pitcher would have to reach 100 pitches before being taken out of the game.
That would go directly against the way modern baseball is managed. Teams now build pitching plans around matchups, bullpen depth and avoiding difficult late-game spots for starters.
For many pitchers, 100 pitches has become closer to a limit than a routine target. Wider pitcher usage trends show how far MLB has moved away from the traditional workhorse starter model.
That is why Scherzer’s suggestion stands out. This is not a small adjustment to pace of play, mound visits or defensive positioning.
It would reshape how teams view the starting pitcher. It would also put starters back at the centre of the game in a way many fans associate with previous eras.
MLB has already explored ways to keep starters in games longer
Scherzer’s idea does not arrive in isolation. MLB has already looked at ways to get more innings from starting pitchers.
Rob Manfred has addressed the issue, while CBS Sports has reported that the league has explored starter requirements and incentives designed to keep starters working deeper into games.
That context matters. Scherzer is adding a player’s voice to a conversation the league has already been willing to consider.
The difference is the scale of his proposal. A 100-pitch minimum would be far more direct than a soft incentive or roster-management adjustment.
There is no sign yet that MLB is close to adopting Scherzer’s exact idea. But the fact a pitcher of his stature is calling for it shows how central the starter debate has become.
Scherzer has framed the issue in simple terms. If MLB wants starting pitchers to matter more again, it may have to decide whether encouragement is enough.
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