ESPN's Jeff Passan reported "progress was minimal" during Thursday's meetings between Major League Baseball and the players association, as the league-implemented lockout continues. With just four days remaining until the league's deadline for reaching a deal before regular-season games will be canceled, Passan noted: "they've had four days to move and there's been next to nothing—just incremental."
The news comes after a league spokesperson said games will be canceled starting Monday: "A deadline is a deadline. Missed games are missed games. Salary will not be paid for those games." It was previously reported on Tuesday that the union rejected the league's suggestion to use a federal mediator for the second time.
Spring training games that were initially scheduled to start on Saturday will not happen; and Opening Day is now in serious danger with no end to the negotiations as of Thursday evening. If - and when - the two sides finally reach an agreement, there are a significant number of free agents who still have to sign with teams. It is also anticipated that players will need, at a minimum, multiple weeks of spring training to get ready for the regular season, thus delaying the start of game-play significantly.
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