Overview
A pinch hitter bats in place of another player, who cannot return to the game once substituted. Through the 2026 season the Central League keeps pitchers in the batting order, so whether to send up a pinch hitter in the pitcher's turn late in the game is a key tactical decision. The Central League board of directors formally decided on 4 August 2025 to adopt the designated hitter from the 2027 season, so that decision only arises through the 2026 season (as of September 2026). The factors behind the call are the left-right matchup with the opposing pitcher, the runners on base and the run differential, how many innings remain, and how many fielders are left on the bench. Because a player who has been replaced cannot go back on defense, a manager works backwards from the defensive substitutions and extra-inning needs that may follow.