As expected, the Major League Baseball Players Association overwhelmingly rejected MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred’s proposal for a one-month delay in starting Spring Training and a modified 154-game 2021 season on Monday, doing so without offering a counterproposal.

Surprisingly, not only did Manfred not push the matter any further, he actually backed down from it, issuing the following statement on Monday evening:

Worth noting, and you undoubtedly did, the statement, although quite optimistic, clearly indicates that the current plan is: “…subject to reaching an agreement on health and safety protocols.” In other words, there are still very significant agreements to be made between the two factions.

But for now, at least, it appears that we will hear those wonderful words “Play Ball!” on April 1, 2021.

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