MLB Twitter reacts to Boston Red Sox outfielders shifting their defensive positioning to skirt the new rules: "Joey Gallo just can't catch a break" 

The Boston Red Sox are the first MLB team to utilize a defensive shift in the outfield since the new rules were put in place. The rules only prevent a defensive shift by the infielders, saying nothing about where outfielders are allowed to be positioned. So, when Joey Gallo, who struggles pulling the ball, lined up to bat, he did so with an empty left field.

This may go against the spirit of the new rules, but it does not appear to be illegal by any stretch. The obvious counter is to pull the hit to the vacated space, but that is easier said than done. This is the first example of the stratagem being used in MLB, but it will be far from the last. The shift is simply too effective to not use if it is still legal.

Do-Hyoung Park, who covers the Minnesota Twins for MLB.com, reported on the shift and provided an image of what it looks like on Twitter.

Joey Gallo was one of the many hitters expected to see a significant boost with the ban of the infield shift. After years of struggling with the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers, he hopes to turn his career around with the Minnesota Twins. Howver, it might not be as straight forward for him, and others like him, to see a resurgence.

The Boston Red Sox picked a good player to try this high risk-high reward strategy on. Due to the amount of field it leaves empty, it should be used sparingly. A solid hit into left field could quickly become a triple or even an inside-the-park home run.

Many MLB fans expected something like this to happen, due to the value the shift has brought in recent years. If there was a way around the rules while capitalizing on the tactic, they would find it.

It will be interesting to see how often this outfielder shift comes into play during the regular season.

Will MLB do anything to prevent the outfielder's defensive shift used by the Boston Red Sox?

Texas Rangers vs. Boston Red Sox

MLB is far from a reactionary league and will likely see how this strategy works out before instituting any new rules. If teams are able to find ways to counterattack the outfield shift, the shift will go away on its own. If they can't, the league may step in the same way they did for the infield shift.

The Boston Red Sox brought this strategy to the forefront of the conversation that could last awhile.