What Does DTD Mean in Baseball?
Quick answer
The injury status for a player who is hurt but expected back within a few days, without being placed on the injured list.
In this article
DTD stands for "day-to-day." It's the status a team gives a player who is hurt but expected back soon, usually within a few days, without being placed on the injured list. A day-to-day player stays on the active roster; the team simply plays without him, or limits him, until he's ready.
Day-to-day vs. the injured list
DTD isn't an official MLB roster designation. It's how teams and reporters describe a minor injury. The official lists are:
| Status | Minimum stay | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Day-to-day (DTD) | None | Bruises, tight muscles, minor sprains, illness |
| 7-day injured list | 7 days | Concussions |
| 10-day injured list | 10 days | Position players |
| 15-day injured list | 15 days | Pitchers (and two-way players) |
| 60-day injured list | 60 days | Long-term injuries; frees a 40-man roster spot |
Why teams use day-to-day
Putting a player on the injured list means losing him for at least 10 or 15 days. For a sore wrist or a cramp that might clear up in two days, that's too long. So the team keeps him active and plays a man short for a couple of games, a trade-off managers make constantly.
If the injury drags on, the team can still move him to the injured list. MLB lets clubs backdate the placement a few days, so the days he already missed count toward the minimum.
Common day-to-day injuries
- Bruises from a hit by pitch or foul ball off the foot
- Tight hamstrings, calves or backs
- Jammed fingers and minor wrist or ankle sprains, often from sliding (good sliding pads help in youth ball)
- Illness
DTD in fantasy baseball
Fantasy apps flag day-to-day players with "DTD." It means the player might sit, but he hasn't been ruled out for long. Check lineups before your games lock, and keep a bench player ready if your league allows daily moves.
Related terms
- Pinch runner: often used for a player who's banged up but can still hit
- Utility player: the versatile player who fills in when a starter is day-to-day
More definitions: baseball terms explained.
Frequently asked questions
What does DTD mean in baseball?
DTD means day-to-day. It describes a player with a minor injury who is expected back within a few days and stays on the active roster instead of going on the injured list.
Is day-to-day an official injury list?
No. It is an informal status used by teams and media. The official lists are the injured lists, such as the 10-day, 15-day and 60-day IL in MLB.
How long is day-to-day?
Usually a day or two up to about a week. If the injury lasts longer, the team will often place the player on the injured list, and MLB allows that placement to be backdated a few days.
What does DTD mean in fantasy baseball?
In fantasy apps, DTD flags a player who may sit out a game or two. Check lineups before games lock, because a day-to-day player may not start.
