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Spring training postponed as MLB lockout continues

MLB Spring Baseball
Posted at 2:30 PM, Feb 18, 2022
and last updated 2022-02-18 17:24:41-05

Spring training isn't going to happen just yet.

On Friday, Major League Baseball announced that spring training had been delayed and would not start earlier than March 5, after the league and its player's association couldn't reach a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement, according to multiple reports.

In a statement, the league said it would meet with MLBPA on Monday for an in-person meeting and "remain every day next week to negotiate and work hard towards starting the season on time."

The league's ninth work stoppage and the first in 26 years began on Dec. 2.

"MLB announced today that it 'must' postpone the start of spring training games. This is false," the MLBPA said Friday in its statement. "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."

According to the Associated Press, several things players and owners remain can't agree on include luxury-tax thresholds and rates, revenue-sharing, and how to address players' allegations of service time manipulation.

For those who've bought tickets for spring training, clubs will offer full refunds.

Opening Day is scheduled to begin on March 31.