The 2023 Major League Baseball season (MLB) began on March 30, while the regular season ended on October 1. The postseason began on October 3. The World Series then began on October 27 and ended on November 1 with the Texas Rangers defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks in five games to win their first title in franchise history.
The 93rd All-Star Game was played on July 11, hosted by the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Washington, with the National League winning, 3–2.
This season saw the introduction of several rule changes: in an effort to create a quicker pace of play, a pitch clock was introduced along with other minor changes, while limits on defensive shifts and larger bases were also introduced.
Schedule On August 24, 2022, Major League Baseball released its 2023 schedule. There were 162 games scheduled for all teams. This season was the first MLB season of a new balanced schedule in which every team played each other at least once, similar to the NBA and NHL. The new balanced schedule included 13 games against their division rivals, totaling 52 games. Each team played six games against six opponents and seven games against four opponents in the same league for a total of 64 games. Each team also played 46 interleague games, including a four-game home-and-home series against their designated interleague rival.
As part of the "MLB World Tour", the San Francisco Giants and the San Diego Padres played a two-game series at Alfredo Harp Helú Stadium in Mexico City on April 29–30, while the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs played a two-game series at London Stadium in London on June 24–25. The 93rd All-Star Game was played on July 11, hosted by the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. The MLB Little League Classic featured the Philadelphia Phillies against the Washington Nationals on August 20. The Nationals won the game 4–3.
Opening Day, March 30, featured all thirty teams, the first time since 1968 that every team has started their season on the same day.
The MLB at Field of Dreams game was not held in 2023 due to the construction of a new youth baseball and softball complex at the Field of Dreams site near Dyersville, Iowa.
Rule changes On September 8, 2022, MLB announced a set of rules changes that would take effect in 2023. A pitch clock was introduced, with these requirements: A standardized period of 30 seconds between batters within each half-inning. A timer between pitches of 15 seconds with the bases empty, and 20 seconds with at least one runner on base. The pitcher must start his motion before the expiration of the pitch clock. A violation will result in an automatic ball. The batter must be in the box and alert to the pitcher with no less than eight seconds remaining. A violation will result in an automatic strike. During the season, the MLB clarified several rules regarding pitch clocks on pitchers and batters: A pitcher no longer may come set prior to the batter becoming alert in the box; umpires are to issue warnings and then automatic ball if the pitcher violates. This comes after Max Scherzer of the New York Mets uses the pitch clock to throw off the timing of Washington Nationals batters. A batter is no longer allowed to bait pitchers into quick pitch violations by engaging with the pitcher, gets into a hitting position, and has one or both feet out of the box while the pitcher is coming set come set prior to the batter becoming alert in the box; umpires are to issue warnings and then automatic strikes if the batter violates. This comes after Willson Contreras of the St. Louis Cardinals earned three automatic balls and a walk for these types of acts against Kenley Jansen of the Boston Red Sox. With runners on base, the timer resets if the pitcher attempts a pickoff or steps off the rubber (collectively called a "disengagement"). Only two disengagements are allowed per plate appearance; however, this count resets if a baserunner advances. Mound visits, injury timeouts, and offensive team timeouts do not count against this. If a third disengagement results in anything other than a successful pickoff attempt, it is treated as a balk and all runners advance one base. If a team has used up all of its allowed five mound visits by the ninth inning, it receives an extra visit in the ninth. Umpires can provide extra time if circumstances warrant. Infield shifts are restricted: The defensive team must have no fewer than four players in infield positions, with at least two on each side of second base. All infielders must have both feet on or inside the outer edge of the marked infield while the pitcher is on the rubber. Infielders cannot switch sides of the infield before a pitch is released. If infielders are improperly aligned at the time of the pitch, the offensive team may choose to accept the result of the play or receive an automatic ball. All three bases will increase in size from 15 to 18 inches (38 to 46 cm).
Further changes were announced on February 13: In regular-season games, the WBSC softball extra innings rule is in effect, with each extra inning starting with a runner on second base. WBSC, the global governing body of baseball, implemented tiebreakers at international tournaments starting in 2008, and in MLB regular season play, was first used in the COVID-abbreviated 2020 season and again in the lockout-altered 2022 season. The rule that regulates when position players can pitch, was tweaked. Previously, position players were allowed to pitch when either team had a lead of at least six runs. Starting with this season: The leading team can only use a position player in this role in the ninth inning and with a lead of at least 10 runs. A team behind by eight or more runs can use a position player to pitch at any time in the game. The use of position players as pitchers in extra innings is unrestricted, as it was under the previous rule.
Spring training Spring training for the 2023 season began in late February and lasted through March. Teams began workouts and practice for spring training beginning in late February. Pitchers and catchers reported first, followed by position players a few days later.
Prior to the start of the regular season, each team played between 27 and 33 spring training games, beginning on February 24. There were several times during spring training when a team had two different squads playing different teams simultaneously. In addition to spring training games, teams occasionally played exhibition games with non-MLB teams, such as Minor League Baseball teams, independent teams, or college teams. These exhibition games were not counted in the spring training standings. Spring training ended on March 28, two days before the Opening Day.
Standings
American League
National League
Postseason
The Postseason began on October 3 and ended with Game 5 on November 1.
Bracket
Managerial changes General managers Offseason TeamFormer GMReason For LeavingNew GMNotesDetroit TigersAl AvilaFiredJeff Greenberg On August 10, 2022, Avila was fired after a seven-year tenure as the general manager of the team. Sam Menzin was named interim general manager. On September 21, 2023, Greenberg was named the new GM of the Tigers.San Francisco GiantsScott HarrisHired by the Detroit TigersPete Putila Harris left the Giants for the president of baseball operations role in the Tigers organization. On October 10, 2022, Houston Astros assistant general manager Pete Putila was named the new general manager of the Giants.Seattle MarinersJerry DipotoPromoted to director of operations and front officeJustin HollanderDipoto resigned from his general manager role and was promoted to the director of operations and the front office. On October 2, 2022, assistant general manager Justin Hollander was named the new general manager of the team.Houston AstrosJames ClickContract expiredDana BrownOn November 11, 2022, the team announced that Click will not be retained. On January 26, 2023, Dana Brown was named the new general manager of the Astros.
In-season TeamFormer GMReason For LeavingNew GMNotes Chicago White Sox Rick Hahn Fired Chris Getz On August 22, Hahn and executive vice president Kenny Williams were fired. Hahn and Williams have held their respective titles since 2012. On August 31, White Sox assistant general manager Chris Getz was promoted to general manager and senior vice president.
Field managers Offseason TeamFormer ManagerInterim ManagerReason For LeavingNew ManagerNotesPhiladelphia PhilliesJoe GirardiRob ThomsonFiredRob ThomsonOn June 3, 2022, the Phillies fired Girardi. In two-plus seasons as manager of the Phillies, he compiled a record of with no playoff appearances. Thomson, the bench coach, was named interim manager on June 3. This is his first managerial position. On October 10, the team announced that they had signed Thomson as manager through the 2024 season after he guided the team to the 2022 World Series in the team's first postseason appearance since 2011.Los Angeles AngelsJoe MaddonPhil NevinPhil NevinOn June 7, 2022, the Angels fired Maddon. In two-plus seasons with the Angels, he compiled a record of with no playoff appearances. Nevin, the third-base coach, was named the interim manager on June 7. This is his first managerial position.
On October 5, the Angels announced Nevin would be retained as manager for the 2023 season.Toronto Blue JaysCharlie MontoyoJohn SchneiderJohn SchneiderOn July 13, 2022, after losing 10 of their last 13 games, the Blue Jays fired Montoyo. In four-plus seasons with the Blue Jays, he compiled a record of with one wild card playoff appearance in 2020, losing in the Wild Card Series. Schneider, the bench coach, was named the interim manager on July 13. This is his first managerial position. On October 21, Schneider got the permanent job, and he was signed to a three-year deal.Texas RangersChris WoodwardTony BeasleyBruce BochyOn August 15, 2022, the Rangers fired Woodward. In three-plus seasons with the Rangers, he compiled a record of with no playoff appearances and no winning records. Beasley, the third-base coach, was appointed the interim manager on the same day. This is his first managerial position. On October 21, the Rangers announced Bruce Bochy as the 20th manager in franchise history, signing a three-year deal. In 25 seasons as the manager of the San Diego Padres (1995–2006), and San Francisco Giants (2007–2019), Bochy compiled a record with six division titles, eight playoff appearances, and a playoff record of , winning three World Series championships with the Giants.Miami MarlinsDon MattinglyNoneContract expiredSkip SchumakerOn September 25, 2022, the Marlins announced that Mattingly would not return to manage the team in 2023 after seven seasons with the team and only one playoff appearance in 2020. On October 25, St. Louis Cardinals bench coach and former Major League Baseball player Skip Schumaker was named the new manager of the team. This was his first managerial position.Chicago White SoxTony La RussaMiguel CairoRetiredPedro GrifolOn October 2, 2022, the White Sox announced that La Russa would retire because of health issues. He guided them to the 2021 AL Central Division title, making his only postseason appearance with the team in his second stint. Grifol was hired on November 1. Previously an assistant coach for the Kansas City Royals, this is his first managerial position.Kansas City RoyalsMike MathenyNoneFiredMatt QuatraroOn October 5, 2022, hours after the season ended, the Royals announced that Matheny would not return to the team for a fourth season after three years with the team and no playoff appearances. Matheny ended his three-year tenure with a record of . On October 30, Tampa Bay Rays bench coach Matt Quatraro was named the new manager of the team. This is his first managerial position.
In-season