Yes, Major League Baseball restricted the defensive shift — specifically, there need to be two infielders on either side of second base and those fielders need to have both their feet on the dirt when the pitch is released.
That said, it doesn’t say anything about what outfielders can do. And poor Joey Gallo — known for pulling the ball and hitting a lot of home runs while also striking out a lot — is the victim of that loophole in spring training.
On Friday, the Boston Red Sox put an outfielder between first and second base in shallow right field and shifted another to be in center field.
They literally pulled the left fielder against Joey Gallo so they could loophole-shift against him 😠pic.twitter.com/XS63zXAkVM
— The Game Day MLB (@TheGameDayMLB) March 3, 2023
Believe this is the first time I’ve seen a shifted outfielder this camp. Red Sox rearranging their outfield alignment to put an extra man on the right side against, of course, Joey Gallo. pic.twitter.com/SQPuHx75Aj
— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) March 3, 2023
Joey Gallo: Finally teams aren’t allowed to shift on me anymore.
*First week of Spring Training* pic.twitter.com/VcCaV2BPfx
— Barstool Baseball (@Starting9) March 3, 2023
"Man, Joey Gallo is going to go OFF this season without the shift!"
Joey Gallo one week into Spring Training: pic.twitter.com/OZckhJDjMl
— Danny Vietti (@DannyVietti) March 3, 2023
Until Gallo and others figure out how to hit to the opposite field, this could be a thing.