BASEBALL 2017: With Ortiz gone, fewer primary DHs left in AL (Yahoo Sports)

Big Papi was a big hitter, and that was really his only duty for most of his 20 major league seasons. Going into the 45th season since the designated hitter was approved for the American League, more managers now appear willing to spread around the DH starts instead of putting the same player in that slot just about every day. There were 135 players who got DH starts for the 15 AL teams last season.