I started a rookie 3B at the beginning of the season. I usually wait till Game 23 so I can get another year of before arbitration starts. This rookie was doing very well until he got hurt for 77 days (placed on the 60 Day DL). Could I activate him from the DL and demote him to the minors for 23 days and still get another year before arbitration hits? I apologize for this probably being a stupid question.

you should have demoted him before placing him on the DL. that way the minor-league time and DL time would overlap. you can still get 17 days, though, if you bring him back right when he's eligible.

I thought you couldn't demote somebody w/ a long term injury, even if they were not on the DL yet.

I'm pretty sure that DL time doesn't count as MLB service time

because I thought I was clever and demoted a guy before I DL'ed him and somebody else told me I didn't need to do the demote

but for the intial question, yes the 23 games can come at any point in the season ... there is nothing magical about the beginning of the season for the 23 games

Quote: Originally Posted By 98greenc5 on 6/04/2010
I'm pretty sure that DL time doesn't count as MLB service time

because I thought I was clever and demoted a guy before I DL'ed him and somebody else told me I didn't need to do the demote

Yeah, it does. I had a pre-arb guy spend almost an entire season on the DL, and it cost me a pre-arb season.

so I WAS clever ... kudos to me!