MLB delays start of Spring Training due to lockout, first games March 5

MESA, ARIZONA – MARCH 20: Austin Gomber #26 of the Colorado Rockies reacts while exiting the game in the fifth inning against the Chicago Cubs during the MLB spring training game at Sloan Park on March 20, 2021 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

by: RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer

Posted: Feb 18, 2022 / 12:53 PM MST

Updated: Feb 18, 2022 / 12:56 PM MST

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NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball on Friday canceled the first week of spring training games through March 4 in the first public acknowledgment of the disruption caused by the lockout.

The announcement came with the work stoppage in its 79th day, and a day after economic talks between the management and the Major League Baseball Players Association lasted just 15 minutes.

Negotiators are set to resume talks on core economics on Monday, and MLB said members of the owners’ negotiating committee will attend the session, just the seventh on the central issues of the dispute since the lockout began Dec. 2.

Spring training was to have started this week, and the exhibition schedule had been set to begin on Feb. 26. There were 16 games set for that day, including the World Series champion Atlanta Braves playing Boston in Florida and the Cleveland Guardians taking on Cincinnati in Arizona.

“We regret that, without a collective bargaining agreement in place, we must postpone the start of spring training games until no earlier than Saturday, March 5,” MLB said in a statement. “All 30 clubs are unified in their strong desire to bring players back to the field and fans back to the stands.”

This means the Rockies first Spring Training match would take place on March 5 against the San Francisco Giants.

MLB told the union it thinks Feb. 28 is the last possible date to reach an agreement that would allow a timely start to the season. The union didn’t respond to MLB on whether it agrees with that date or thinks there is additional time.

The players’ association was discussing whether any players will attend the next session.

For the most part, owners and players have joined the bargaining by Zoom. Colorado Rockies CEO Dick Monfort, chairman of the owners’ labor policy committee, and free agent reliever Andrew Miller both attended the Jan. 24 session, the first in-person bargaining during the lockout.

“We are committed to reaching an agreement that is fair to each side,” MLB said. “On Monday, members of the owners’ bargaining committee will join an in-person meeting with the players’ association and remain every day next week to negotiate and work hard towards starting the season on time.”

Spring training workouts were to have started Wednesday.

“The clubs have adopted a uniform policy that provides an option for full refunds for fans who have purchased tickets from the clubs to any spring training games that are not taking place,” MLB said.