[NoOne]

it ignores forced "SP" too. it's a good thing. pretty sure it ignores forced fielding positions too... i haven't paid enough attention.

most* promote at least a few mil players for ST. some of which may have forced roles in minor leagues. i do this for any important prospect as well as for diversifying defense before the majors. it's a pain in the @ to turn all of that to "none" then back again after demoting. as well as other similar contexts.

i'm not sure if it disregards depth chart completely. i've always had the habit of starting the backups 3rd/4th day in ST. it would be nice if i don't have to do this anymore.. simply promote and ignore is a plus from my perspective in regards to ST.

it's worked similarly for longer than just this release. i can't speak to any small changes to the general way it works though. it has subbed or used players differently than reg/playoffs for a while is what i mean. sp get ~4ip per start as one example.

as far as rust, i think jsut being on an active roster helps knock it off, but games played may or may not be required or maybe they speed it up?

you'd have to know a relative % likelihood of starting of the year good/average/bad, then compare with no games played during ST, all other factors the same. that would tell you definitively if playing any games in ST matters.... since they sub so much, at the very least not much is actually required... more about time on calendar, most likely

i often have 6th / 7th rp with very long periods of time between gp. sometimes i have a couple above them take a dump and when they move into a heavy-use role, they are do fine after possibly months of very little use while in the mlb upto that point. but again, that only shows you don't accumulate rust while in season AND on an active roster with no current rust to start. that doesn't account for all contexts.