ORLANDO, Florida. –Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said spring training remains suspended due to a management lockout and his goal is to secure a deal that allows Opening Day as scheduled on March, 31st.
“I believe we will have a deal in time to play our regular schedule,” Manfred said Thursday after a three-day owners’ meeting. “I view missing games as a disastrous outcome for this industry.”
Manfred said management intends to make a new proposal to the players’ association when negotiations resume on Saturday. This will only be the fifth session on the economy since the lockdown began on December 2.
The second-longest work stoppage in baseball history was on its 71st day.
“We’re going to have a conversation with the MLBPA about the schedule. We understand where that schedule is,” Manfred said.
Spring training was scheduled to start on February 16. At least three weeks of training is required, along with additional time for players to show up and undergo COVID-19 protocols. Manfred said a minimum of four weeks of training would be best.
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Manfred also said the teams have no plans to play major league exhibition games with minor leaguers.
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