There are nine players on the field per team on defense. But a Major League team’s full squad is bigger: the active roster holds 26 players, of whom only nine play at once.
The nine on the field
The nine defensive positions are: pitcher, catcher, first base, second base, third base, shortstop and three outfielders (left, center and right). The pitcher and catcher form the «battery»; the rest split the infield and the outfield.
The 26-man roster
Since 2020, the MLB active roster is 26 players (27 for doubleheaders). That group includes the starting rotation, the bullpen relievers and the bench hitters, rotated by strategy each game.
Preguntas frecuentes
How many play at the same time?
Nine per team on defense. On offense, they bat one at a time in the batting order.
How big is the full roster?
26 active in MLB, plus a 40-man roster that includes injured and reserve players.
