Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl

Major League Baseball and its players union have announced a new set of protocols for dealing with concussions, including the creation of a new seven-day disabled list for players with the injury.

The league and the union announced the protocols in a joint statement on Tuesday. They include mandatory baseline testing for all players and umpires and new steps for evaluating players who may have suffered the injury and for having them return to action.

The new guidelines will be in effect starting on Opening Day.

The new disabled list is in addition to the 15-day and 60-day DLs that already exist for players with injuries.

Each team will also have to designate a specialist who deals with mild brain injuries to evaluate players and umpires when needed.

-AP