PTBNL

Sports abbreviation · Baseball

PTBNL
Stands forPlayer to be named later
CategoriesSports

PTBNL stands for Player to be named later, a baseball abbreviation.

Placeholder in a baseball trade for a player who will be identified after the deal is announced, usually chosen from an agreed list within a set period. The device lets teams complete trades when roster rules or scouting decisions are still pending.

Example: The Padres acquired a reliever for cash and a PTBNL.

Usage notes

The most famous case is catcher Harry Chiti, who in 1962 was traded from Cleveland to the New York Mets for a player to be named later and was later returned to Cleveland as that player, in effect being traded for himself.

More baseball abbreviations

  • OPS+ – Adjusted OPS
  • P – Pitcher
  • PA – Plate appearances
  • PH – Pinch hitter
  • PO – Putout
  • PR – Pinch runner
  • QS – Quality start
  • R – Runs
  • RBI – Run batted in
  • RF – Right fielder
  • RHP – Right-handed pitcher
  • RISP – Runners in scoring position

See all 83 baseball abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.