MLB cancels first week of spring training games due to ongoing lockout

By Vaughan Jones
Published: Friday, February 18, 2022 - 2:30pm
Updated: Saturday, February 19, 2022 - 10:19am
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Major League Baseball announced Friday that the first week of spring training games has been canceled as a result of the ongoing labor dispute between MLB and the MLB Players Association.

Both Cactus League and Florida’s Grapefruit League exhibition games were set to begin Feb. 26, but MLB announced Friday that games up until March 4 have been canceled.

The Cactus League is home to 15 teams playing in 10 ballparks between late February and the end of March.

When the Cactus League season was abruptly canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19, it was estimated that Arizona lost about $300 million in economic impact. 

Talks on Thursday between management and the Major League Baseball Players Association lasted just 15 minutes. Negotiators are set to continue bargaining economic disputes on Monday.

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