Although MLB and the Players Association (MLBPA) are in the process of meeting every day this week at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla., for continued collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations, additional Spring Training games have officially been canceled.
With MLB’s latest course of action, Cactus League and Grapefruit League games now will not be played until Tuesday, March 8, at the earliest. All Spring Training games through March 4 previously were postponed by MLB.
Although it was a 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.”
Representatives from the league and union are due to continue meeting Saturday as the sides attempt to overcome numerous hurdles for a new CBA. MLB doubled down on their February 28 deadline for an agreement to be in place, or Opening Day will be pushed back from March 31.
Should that become necessary, MLB warned lost games will not be made up and players won’t be paid for them. It’s believed the Players Association won’t agree to an expanded postseason this year if the league doesn’t change that stance.
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 11 Spring Training games, and they now aren’t slated to take the field until Wednesday, March 9. MLB presumably will adjust schedules and eliminate the Dodgers’ off day if the lockout ends in time for games to resume March 8.
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