MLB and the Players Association (MLBPA) were unable to reach a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) by the league’s self-imposed deadline after nine consecutive days of meetings at Roger Dean Stadium, prompting commissioner Rob Manfred to cancel Opening Day and the first two series of the regular season.
With MLB’s latest course of action, Cactus League and Grapefruit League games now will not be played until Friday, March 18, at the earliest. All Spring Training games through March 7 previously were postponed by MLB.
Although it was widely anticipated, the MLBPA was critical of the decision. “MLB announced today that it ’must’ postpone the start of spring training games,” the union said in a statement at the time.
“This is false. Nothing requires the league to delay the start of spring training, much like nothing required the league’s decision to implement the lockout in the first place. Despite these decisions by the league, Players remain committed to the negotiating process.”
Two days after negotiations stalled in Florida, MLB deputy commissioner Dan Halem and MLBPA lead negotiator Bruce Meyer met on Thursday for an informal conversation. They reportedly discussed key issues and the pacing of talks going forward.
While neither side made a proposal in the latest meeting, the union is said to be preparing an offer. It is unclear when that may come, but there is a sense of urgency to get a deal done as soon as possible to avoid additional regular season games being canceled.
How Dodgers are impacted by lost Spring Training games
The Los Angeles Dodgers originally were scheduled to face the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park on Saturday, Feb. 26, in their Cactus League opener.
Both postponements have cost the Dodgers a total of 20 Spring Training games, and they now aren’t slated to take the field until Friday, March 18, against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields.
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