The Major League Baseball Players Association is giving the Biden administration the cold shoulder.
According to MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal, the Players Association declined to join MLB officials and senior officials from the Biden administration in a phone call about possibly delaying the start of the season.
The government officials suggested to MLB that the season be delayed by one month in order for players to be vaccinated by the start of the season. According to Dr. Anthony Fauci, the administration’s top medical adviser, a new vaccine from Johnson & Johnson is expected to be authorized for emergency use within a week or so.
The MLBPA has held a strong line in wanting a full 162-game season, rejecting a proposal on Monday for a 154-game schedule that would start at the end of April, which has forced the league’s hand in continuing with its schedule as currently planned.
MLB did not disclose details of its conversation with Biden officials to the union, but did inform team presidents.
Rosenthal noted in his reporting that there is no guarantee a delay to the season would improve the safety of players.
Players are expected to report to spring training within the next two weeks in Arizona and Florida, where COVID cases are declining but still remain high.
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