MLB owners aren’t alone in wanting the season pushed back a month. The federal government would like to see that happen as well.
According to The Athletic, members of President Biden’s administration recently told owners they would like the season pushed back a month so players could get vaccinated by then.
However, the Players Association opted out of that discussion, not wanting to be pressured into a delay. Barring a COVID-19-outbreak, the season will start on time after the union rejected MLB’s proposal for a 154-game season that starts late. The union has scheduled a later call with government officials without MLB’s involvement.
The expected introduction of another vaccine, this one from Johnson & Johnson, was behind the government’s reasoning. The Athletic reported that MLB did not tell the Players Association details of the meeting, but did inform team presidents.
It doesn’t seem to matter at this point. The season, at least for now, is expected to begin on time.
