MLB and the Players Association failing to come to terms on a new collective bargaining agreement last month prompted team owners to unanimously impose the fourth lockout in the sport’s history.
The work stoppage has halted all player activity for the foreseeable future, including free agency, trades and the use of team facilities.
While it was initially believed players who are rehabbing injuries would be permitted to continue accessing team facilities until medically cleared, that hasn’t been the case. Such could be problematic, especially for those who don’t have the necessary equipment.
According to Britt Ghiroli of The Athletic, the union has reached a deal with D-BAT that will allow players with at least one day of service time to use their facilities for free during the lockout:
D-Bat has more than 100 indoor baseball facilities. The MLB PA free membership is effective immediately and runs until Jan of 2023 according to a memo sent out today to MLBPA certified agents. https://t.co/USaRyhj89h
— Britt Ghiroli (@Britt_Ghiroli) January 12, 2022
D-BAT is a nationally operated indoor baseball and softball training facility that offers automated batting cages, private lessons, and camps and clinics, among other amenities.
While it’s far from the most ideal situation, MLB players now at least have another option in how they can go about conducting their offseason workouts and rehab efforts.
MLBPA disappointed by latest CBA proposal
MLB and the Players Association met last Thursday for the first time in over a month to discuss core economics. While that’s reason for optimism, it doesn’t appear much progress was made as the union reportedly came away disappointed by the league’s proposal.
Among the issues the sides are still far apart on is the luxury tax threshold. MLB reportedly offered to give a slight increase to the annual number while the players were looking for a significant rise.
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