CHICAGO — Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell thinks a Major League Baseball rule that allows the Los Angeles Dodgers to carry 14 pitchers because of Shohei Ohtani is “bizarre.”

Major league teams are allowed to have a maximum of 13 pitchers on their active 26-man roster from opening day through Aug. 31. From Sept. 1 through the end of the season, the roster limits increase to 14 pitchers and 28 active players.

But Ohtani is designated as a two-way player, which means he doesn’t count as a pitcher. So the reigning World Series champions have a total of 14 pitchers on their active roster while others are only allowed to have just 13.

Counsell says, “There’s not another player like that, but one team gets different rules for that player.”

Diaz out 3 months

DENVER — Los Angeles Dodgers closer Edwin Diaz will undergo surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow and is expected to miss about three months.

The procedure will be performed Wednesday at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic in Los Angeles. The Dodgers say Diaz is not expected back until the second half of the season. Los Angeles placed the 32-year-old right-hander on the 15-day injured list and recalled left-hander Jake Elder from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

The former Mets closer is 1-0 with a 10.50 ERA, 10 strikeouts and four saves in five opportunities over seven appearances.

Nasty fans

NEW YORK — New York Yankees right-hander Cam Schlittler says he’s looking forward to his Fenway Park debut against Boston even after revealing he and his family have received death threats from Red Sox fans.

Schlittler overcame similar threats to thrive against Boston in the postseason last year. That gives him confidence before his first game at Fenway Park. Schlittler grew up a Red Sox fan in Walpole, Massachusetts.

He told the New York Post that he and his family have received death threats leading up to Thursday’s game. He says it’s not necessary to get police involved.