In a baseball game, what happens when a team runs out of position players?

Question

Let's say, in an extra inning game, one team has used up all their position players as pinch hitters, then a player gets hurt in the game. Does that team have to use pitchers to hit and field? If so, can the pitcher, who's now playing the field, pitch later in the game as a reliever?

Answer 1

This happened several years ago for the LA Dodgers. Fernando Valenzuela was brought in to play the outfield when the position players were used up. He moved from right to left field and back based on what type of hitter (left or right) was batting then.

The pitcher playing the outfield (or any other position) is eligible to pitch later and then move again to another position if needed. It is no different than if a shortstop moves to second or third.

Answer 2

Once a player has left the game, he cannot come back. So yes, a team that runs out of position players would need to bring pitchers in to play defensive positions and bat. A player can be removed from the mound and return to pitch only once per inning.

Example: Nineteenth inning. The manager of the defense wants to bring a reliever in with one out, but he has no more pitchers left in the bullpen. So he brings the right fielder in to pitch to one batter and sends the pitcher out to right field. Once the original right fielder -- now the pitcher -- retires the second batter, the manager brings the original pitcher -- now the right fielder -- back to the mound.

A few runners get on base and the manager of the defense now wants to bring the right fielder back in to pitch. He can do this. But the pitcher who started the inning cannot return to the mound in this inning. Nor can the reliever return to the mound in this inning if he is replaced.

Answer 3

Players may not re-enter a game once removed. They can use any of their 40 players at any position as long as they have not been substituted earlier. You will often see a manager refuse to use a catcher as a pinch hitter in a tie game just for this reason. The Cards frequently used Jason Marquis (P) as pinch hitter.
In reality any of a team's 40 players can play any position you want them to. But they are limited to substitution rules. And pitchers can no longer leave the mound and return to the mound later in the game. They can leave the mound and assume a field position once within an inning but can only change positions once in that inning. Any player, whether currently in game or on the bench can assume the pitching position once in a game. But once replaced at that position, cannot pitch in that game again.

Answer 4

Yes, they have to use whoever they have or forfiet the game. A pitcher can pitch at any time so long as he does not leave the game. Years ago the Phillies put thier pitcher in left field for one batter, then back on the mound to finish the inning. The only reason he can not pitch is he left the game.

Answer 5

they use a pitcher that hasnt been used or they forfeit