Restricted List

The Restricted List is essentially an excused but unpaid absence, although a club can pay the player while he is on the Restricted List if the club so chooses.

A player on the Restricted List does not count against his club's Active List or Reserve List, and a player who is on the Restricted List for any reason other than a suspension for violation of the MLB ban on the use of prohibited substances does not accrue Service Time while on the Restricted List. (A player who is suspended for violation of the ban on the use of prohibited substances is automatically placed on the Restricted List by MLB, and the suspended player does accrue MLB or minor league service time if placed on the Restricted List for this reason).

Besides a suspension related to a violation of the MLB Prohibited Substance ban, other reasons why a player might be placed on the Restricted List would include an absence due to an illness or death in the family where the absence exceeds the seven-day Bereavement List limit, failing to report to Spring Training, or if a player is serving a prison sentence, or is attending college or pursuing a career in another sport or profession, or if a player from a foreign country is unable to secure a U. S. work visa.

An MLB player who is on the Restricted List for any reason other than extended Bereavement Leave or a suspension for violation of the MLB ban on the use of prohibited substances cannot be reinstated from the Restricted List from August 1st through October 31st, and a minor league player on the Restricted List for any reason other than a suspension for violation of the MLB ban on the use of prohibited substances cannot be reinstated from the Restricted List from August 1st through the end of his club's season (including post-season).

A player on the Restricted List must be added back to his club's Reserve List within 30 days of reinstatement, or by Opening Day of the following season if the player is reinstated during the off season, but if the player is assigned to another club after reinstatement he must be placed on that club's Reserve List immediately.