The 2022 MLB season won’t start on time if the lockout continues for much longer. Opening Day will be delayed if a new collective bargaining agreement isn’t reached within the next few days.

Major League Baseball has set a Monday, Feb. 28, deadline for an agreement with the players’ union. If the two sides don’t have a CBA by then, the regular season won’t begin as originally planned.

All 30 teams are scheduled to play their first game on March 31. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has said that a four-week spring training would be required in order for the 2022 season to start on time.

The start of spring training has already been delayed because of the lockout. Pitchers and catchers were supposed to report to camp a week ago. Spring training games had been scheduled to start on Feb. 26.

Spring training was officially delayed last week. The league said that exhibition games wouldn’t be played until at least March 5.

In the week before Feb. 28, the league and the MLBPA plan to meet every day to negotiate a new CBA. The two sides have made little progress in reaching a deal.

Tuesday’s meeting was actually viewed as a step back by the league, according to ESPN. The union made a small concession in its demand for the number of players to enter arbitration after two years. The union increased what it’s seeking in minimum salary raises.

The competitive balance tax remains a significant sticking point. MLB owners want to increase the penalties for teams that spend more than the CBT. The union wants to raise the CBT from $210 million to $245 million for the 2022 season.

It’s been 27 years since regular-season games were lost because of labor negotiations.

Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred says locking out players was the best strategy to protect the chances of playing a 2022 MLB season
Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred says locking out players was the best strategy to protect the chances of playing a 2022 MLB season. GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA via AFP / Bob Levey
RELATED STORIES