MLB and the Players Association (MLBPA) failing to reach a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) before the league’s self-imposed deadline resulted in commissioner Rob Manfred canceling Opening Day first two series of the 2022 regular season.
When another deadline passed one week later, Manfred crossed off two more series. That brought the total games lost to 93. However, MLB and the MLBPA made inroads in negotiations on Thursday to get a new CBA in place.
Players are expected to report for Spring Training by Sunday, free agency will immediately begin, and Opening Day of the 2022 season is expected to be Thursday, April 7.
When MLB made their two scheduling decisions, the Los Angeles Dodgers had games against the Colorado Rockies (March 31-April 3; April 8-10), Arizona Diamondbacks (April 4-6) and Minnesota Twins (April 12-13) removed from their 2022 schedule.
The 2022 Dodgers schedule was originally due to begin Thursday, March 31, with an Opening Day matchup against the Rockies at Dodger Stadium. Furthermore, April 7 was set as a travel day.
That still holds true as the Dodgers won’t take the field until Friday, April 8, for a matchup with the Rockies at Coors Field. First pitch is set for 1:10 p.m. PT. It marks a second consecutive season the Dodgers played a road game against the Rockies for Opening Day.
Furthermore, L.A. will need to play doubleheaders and have games rescheduled in order to get all 162 in. Doubleheaders will be full games rather than shortened to seven innings like in prior years.
When do Spring Training and MLB free agency begin?
MLB team owners are scheduled to formally vote on the new CBA at 3 p.m. PT on Thursday, and the expectation is free agency will begin once that is completed.
Spring Training camps will open by March 13, and Cactus League and Grapefruit League games should begin four or five days after.
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