MLB commissioner Rob Manfred told teams Monday that they should be preparing for a full schedule this year, including a full 162-game regular season and spring training starting in February as usual, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported.
Rob Manfred: MLB teams should plan for spring training to start on time, full 162-game season to be played https://t.co/MCH7NB88CT
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 12, 2021
The league wanted to delay the start of the season by at least a month so more players and fans could get vaccinated — and more stadiums could open. But the MLBPA — whose approval the league would need to delay the season due to the CBA — fought against it, making it clear that they would not accept anything less than 100 percent of the pay this season.
Spring training is set to begin Feb. 17 in Arizona and Florida, with Opening Day scheduled for April 1.
“While there will continue to be challenges,’’ the union said in a prepared statement to The Athletic last month, “our players have proven they can safely play a season under difficult circumstances, as have the other sports.’’
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].