FanDuel Sportsbook Pinch Hit Protection: What It Is & How It Works
FanDuel Pinch Hit Protection
FanDuel Sportsbook
You may have heard of FanDuel Sportsbook's Injury Protection feature that returns your stake in cash if the player you bet on leaves a game due to injury. This promotion has been most popular in NBA, WNBA and NFL betting for FanDuel and is beginning to be replicated on other online sportsbooks in the US as of this writing.
Now, however, the sportsbook is upping their game. FanDuel has introduced Pinch Hit Protection, a new way to prevent baseball bettors from losing their bet due to managerial decisions. Did you bet on a player to get a hit or home run in today's game? If they get pulled for a pinch hitter and their replacement hits your bet, you'll still win!
21+ (18+ D.C., KY, WY). New customers only. Offer available in AZ/AR/CO/CT/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA/MD/MA /MI/MONC/NJ/NY/OH/PA/TN/VA/VT/WV/WY/DC (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino).
First online real money wager only. Min $5 wager required for 7 consecutive days. $5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply.
See full T&C at FanDuel.
Using FanDuel's Pinch Hit Protection isn't complicated. You don't even have to opt in! Just place your bets as usual — if your bet is on a player to tally one or more hits or one or more home runs and you place it before the game starts, you're eligible for Pinch Hit Protection.
If, during the game, the hitter you bet on is lifted for a pinch hitter or subbed out for any reason and the player who replaces them in the lineup fulfills the bet you placed on your original player, you'll still win the bet!
If your favorite way to bet on baseball games is with live betting, keep in mind that you won't be eligible for this promotion. Many baseball bettors like to see how players look the first time through the lineup before placing bets — if you want to be eligible for Pinch Hit Protection, you'll need to place your bet before the game starts.
Key Terms & Conditions
- Invite-only promotion for eligible FanDuel users (21+, 18+ in select states) in approved states. Runs March 25–Nov. 1, 2026, with timing subject to individual invites.
- Place a qualifying pregame MLB player prop (hit or home run), straight or parlay, using cash. If your selected player is replaced and the substitute records the stat, your bet settles as a loss but you’ll receive Bonus Bets equal to your stake plus potential winnings (parlays qualify only if all other legs win).
- Bonus Bets are non-withdrawable, single-use, and must be selected in the betslip; winnings are paid as cash (stake not returned).
- Limit one bonus per qualifying wager. Void where prohibited. Disputes are subject to binding arbitration and class action waiver.
- Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Mark is a lifelong sports fan who inherited rooting interests in the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers. After a decade in sports media covering sports betting as a writer, editor and producer, Mark brought his long track record of sports experience to the Sportsbooks Online team in early 2025.
