Morning Mound Visit: MLB deadening ball; 7-inning doubleheaders, and extra-innings rule returning

Eno Sarris and Ken Rosenthal | The Athletic $: After years of unprecedented home run rates (and MLB saying that it wasn’t knowingly altering the baseballs) MLB is deadening the ball ahead of the 2021 season. We won’t know exactly how much of an effect these changes will have until the season is upon us, but one estimation figures that it will be like adding five extra feet to every outfield fence.

Eric Stephen | True Blue LA: The MLBPA and MLB came to an agreement on Monday night. Seven-inning doubleheaders and the “ghost runner” rule for extra innings will return in 2021. The universal DH will not be returning as MLB viewed it as a monetary incentive rather than a player safety issue. This is the same league that pushed for fans to attend two rounds of the expanded postseason last year.

Josey Curtis | Viva El Birdos: Yadier Molina re-signed with the Cardinals on Monday to play his 18th season in St. Louis. The ball and the rules may be different this year, but at least we won’t have to watch Yadier Molina play for the Rangers or something.