Pinch runner

Occasionally, a pinch runner is inserted for other reasons (such as a double switch, ejection, or if the original player on base has become injured).

After serving as a pinch runner, a player may remain in the game and assume a defensive position, or may be substituted for at the manager's discretion.

In the early history of professional baseball, the National League, which began play in 1876, changed a rule in 1878 such that pinch runners were not allowed except in cases of illness or injury, with the substitute entering the game after the original player reached base.

Washington appeared in 105 games for the Athletics in 1974 and 1975, scoring 33 runs and stealing 31 bases, without once playing the field or coming up to bat.

[7] Outfielder Dave Roberts made a notable appearance as a pinch runner in the bottom the ninth inning of Game 4 of the 2004 American League Championship Series, stealing a base and going on to score the tying run in a game the Boston Red Sox went on to win in 12 innings, leading to a series victory over the New York Yankees.

The player who had to leave was free to rejoin the game when his team returned to the field defensively, although in some cases, an injury proved to be serious enough that he was replaced by a substitute.

[11] After Detroit finished batting that half-inning, both Outlaw (who had "recovered shortly")[12] and York returned to their defensive positions and played the rest of the game.