As Major League Baseball and the players’ union remain in a lockout, the league requested immediate assistance of a federal mediator on Thursday to help reach a resolution, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Any request for federal mediation in collective bargaining talks would still have to be agreed to by the Players’ Association.
This is not the first time MLB has sought federal mediators to help reach a resolution to a work stoppage.
Federal mediators were called upon during the 1994 strike but it did not save the season. The World Series was cancelled a month after they met and a resolution was not reached for another seven months.
Eugene Freedman, a union lawyer and writer on baseball labor negotiations, explained the significance of federal mediators in a Twitter thread.
Audacy's Bob Nightengale says one player has called it a "publicity stunt." Meanwhile, MLB will not respond with a counteroffer to the players following their last meeting on Tuesday.
MLB owners have “locked out” the players since Dec. 2 after the two sides failed to reach a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement.
While both sides have met over the last few weeks, little progress has been made and a delay to the start of spring training appears very likely.
As long as the lockout continues, no free agents can sign, no trades can be made, players cannot talk to team officials nor take part in team activities, including use of team facilities.
If the lockout persists into March, missing regular season games could be on the table.
Opening Day is March 31.
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