In theory, could a pitcher bat in the AL?

Thanks for cutting and pasting all that unnecessary info, Chimpmaker. The answer, as noted by several folks before Chimp's tedious post, is that there is no American League rule that prohibits pitchers from batting. But, with the DH available, to do so would place a club at a disadvantage.

Yes. The DH rule is clear that it's an option. Also, if the DH takes a position in the field, then the pitcher must bat.

"6.10(b)(1) A hitter MAY be designated to bat for the starting pitcher, and all subsequent pitchers...." (emphasis added)

Use ot the DH is optional.

However, the last starting pitcher who was deliberately placed in the lineup rather than use the DH was Ken Brett in 1976. This includes all NL teams playing at AL parks in interleague competition. So, clearly, letting pitchers bat is not a high priority.

Pitchers do bat at times, usually in long extra-inning games where the present DH was moved to a defensive position as reserve players get used up.

Rays manager Joe Maddon bollixed his lineup card a few years ago, resulting in the SP batting third. The SP was Andy Sonnanstine that day: http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/TBA/TBA200...

The Yankees once had pitcher Rick Rhoden play as the day's DH. Rhoden, who was not bad at batting as most pitchers go, went 0-1 with a sac fly. He did not pitch in this game: http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA198...

Once the DH is sacrificed by a team, either by moving the current DH to a defensive position or by having the current pitcher pinch-hit (this is allowed, but I don't think it has ever happened), that team has lost its DH and the pitcher(s) must bat (or be pinch-hit for).

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Do everyone a small favor and go back on the meds, LO ne S om E R.

Yes, that actually has already happend once this season.

It was the bottem of the 16th and the orioles DH that night went on to pitch. He gave up no runs and went on to bat in the 17th, as well as pitch the bottom of the 17th and get the win.

Yes, in theory a pitcher can pitch in the AL.

Yes. I believe a Rays pitcher accidently batted 4th one time.

Yes a pitcher could bat for himself in the A.L.

You are correct. They could also pinch hit for anyone or be a replacement runner.

Not just in theory, but also in actuality.

or they could pitch hit.