In the ongoing Major League Baseball lockout, the MLB Players Association rejected the league’s proposal on Friday for a federal mediator in labor negotiations.
The stalemate means that spring training will almost certainly be delayed.
The two parties have met four times over the past 65 days of labor stoppage, and MLB opted to ask for federal mediation this week rather than countering a recent offer from the Player’s Association.
The players declined the league’s request to involve the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, and negotiations are not expected to continue at all next week.
Players are supposed to report to training camp on Feb. 16, with the first Cactus League games taking place Feb. 26, but it is unclear if an agreement will be made before then.
MLB requires at least three weeks of training camp and exhibition games before the regular season begins.
