What is the 60-Day IL in Baseball? Definition and Examples
The 60-day injured list is MLB's long-term injured list, used for players expected to miss at least 60 days — and crucially, it removes the player from the 40-man roster while he's on it.
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What is the 60-Day IL?
The 60-day injured list is Major League Baseball's long-term injured list. A player placed on the 60-day IL cannot be activated for at least 60 days from the date of the placement (backdated at most three days). It exists alongside the 10-day IL (position players) and 15-day IL (pitchers), but it carries one feature the shorter lists don't: a player on the 60-day IL does not count against his club's 40-man roster.
How the 60-Day IL Works
The mechanics are straightforward but strategically loaded:
1. Minimum stay: 60 days. A player placed on it June 1 is eligible to return no earlier than July 31.
2. 40-man roster relief: The player is removed from the 40-man roster while on the 60-day IL, opening a slot the club can use to add a prospect, claim a player off waivers, or select the contract of a minor leaguer.
3. Salary and service time: The player still receives his full MLB salary and accrues service time while on the 60-day IL — it is not a punishment or pay cut.
4. Season-ending use: Players with season-ending injuries (e.g., Tommy John surgery) are routinely transferred to the 60-day IL immediately, even in April, to free the roster spot.
5. Offseason rule: The 60-day IL doesn't exist in the offseason — everyone must fit back on the 40-man roster by the November deadline, which forces tough non-tender and DFA decisions.
Real-World Example
When a pitcher like Jacob deGrom underwent elbow surgery, his club transferred him to the 60-day IL almost immediately. That single transaction accomplished two things: it acknowledged he'd miss most or all of the season, and it opened a 40-man roster spot the team used to protect a prospect or add depth. Contenders do this dozens of times per season — the Dodgers and Rays in particular cycle players between the 15-day and 60-day IL to keep extra arms and bench bats on the 40-man without exposing anyone to waivers.
Why It Matters
The 60-day IL is a roster-management weapon. It lets teams effectively carry 41 or 42 players' worth of talent during the season, stash injured depth without losing it, and time prospect promotions. It also matters for fans tracking returns: a transfer from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL is a public signal that the injury is worse than initially announced. In fantasy baseball, a 60-day transfer means drop the player in redraft leagues — he's out at least two months.
Limitations and Misconceptions
- It doesn't speed recovery. Players aren't magically healthy at day 60; many stay longer.
- It can't be used retroactively beyond three days, so teams can't erase weeks of a "day-to-day" limbo.
- Postseason eligibility: Players on the 60-day IL remain eligible for the postseason roster as long as they were in the organization by the eligibility deadline.
- It's confused with the 15-day IL, but only the 60-day version clears a 40-man spot — that's the entire strategic difference.
Related Terms
In Legends Deck: Cards of players on the 60-day IL are flagged as unavailable in season-mode simulations, and their roster slot opens for call-ups — mirroring the real 40-man roster math front offices manage.