Major League Baseball cancels first 2 weeks of season until April 14

Mar 9, 2022, 5:04 PM | Updated: 5:32 pm

An official MLB baseball sits on top of an MLB game-used base with a lock and chain around it to represent the lockout between Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) on January 28, 2022 in Lincroft, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

(Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

BY JAKE ANDERSON

Arizona Sports

Major League Baseball has canceled the first two weeks of the 2022 regular season until April 14, the league announced on Wednesday.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred had already canceled the first week of the season on March 1.

The Arizona Diamondbacks were scheduled to open the season on the road against the Milwaukee Brewers (March 31 to April 2) and Los Angeles Dodgers (April 4-6).

As a result of the second week of the season being canceled, the D-backs will now miss out on their first two home-opening series against the San Diego Padres (April 7-9) and Houston Astros (April 12-13) at Chase Field.

“In a last-ditch effort to preserve a 162-game season, this week we have made good-faith proposals that address the specific concerns voiced by the MLBPA and would have allowed the players to return to the field immediately,” Manfred said in the release. “The clubs went to extraordinary lengths to meet the substantial demands of the MLBA. On the key economic issues that have posed stumbling blocks, the clubs proposed ways to bridge gaps to preserve a full schedule.

“Regrettably, after our second late-night bargaining session in a week, we remain without a deal. … We have worked hard to reach an agreement and offered a fair deal with significant improvements for the players and our fans. I am saddened by this situation’s continued impact on our game and all those who are a part of it, especially our loyal fans. We have the utmost respect for our players and hope they will ultimately choose to accept the fair agreement they have been offered.”

ESPN’s Jeff Passan also reported that the MLBPA rejected the league’s three offers regarding the international draft.

The Major League Baseball Players Association released its own statement shortly after MLB’s announcement of additional canceled games: