MLB commissioner Rob Manfred. Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

MLB releases laughable statement regarding latest uniform outrage

Much to the chagrin of Major League Baseball, uniforms have been the hottest topic around the start of spring training after an embarrassingly poor rollout by Nike and Fanatics. 

Amid a laundry list of complaints over the quality of MLB jerseys, pants that were a little too revealing soon joined the fray. However, instead of acknowledging the issue, the league decided that denying it completely was the best strategy. 

"The uniform pants have the same material and thickness as the uniform pants used last season," an MLB official said Friday via Lindsey Adler. "There were changes to the fabric of the jersey, not the pants." 

While the Nike Vapor Premier jerseys have received the brunt of the criticisms from players for their "cheap" quality and design, pants are suddenly a major worry. Along with complaints over their see-through material, supply issues have led several teams to use pants from last season. 

MLBPA executive director Tony Clark recently confirmed the pants' transparent qualities and called the shortage a "universal concern." 

There is some merit to MLB's statement, as it appears the transparency issues were apparent in 2023. However, the instances uncovered so far feature players in promotional shots, meaning it's likely that most players opted to wear old pants in actual games. 

While no easy solution seems forthcoming, MLB is seemingly taking steps to address team jerseys at the very least. An earlier statement from the league confirmed that representatives from Nike and Fanatics are visiting spring training camps to meet with players while "adjustments are being made to jersey size, waist, in-seam, length, thigh fit and the bottom of their pants." 

No matter how you slice it, this is a bad look for all involved. Meanwhile, with the regular season only a few weeks away, there's no time for a quick fix, which should make for an interesting lead-up to Opening Day. 

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Cardinals catcher's injury timeline revealed
Suns hire ex-NBA champion as new head coach
Frank Vogel fell victim to a Suns ownership group eager to win
Luka Doncic hands OKC first playoff loss with gutsy Game 2 effort
Three takeaways as Rangers take commanding 3-0 series lead on Hurricanes
Rams make surprising move with former team captain
Ohio State AD is wrong for thinking Michigan wins deserve asterisk
Padres OF Jurickson Profar is a legitimate MVP candidate
Steelers' Cameron Heyward comments on controversial Justin Fields idea
Pacers coach claims officials are biased against 'small market' teams
14-year-old phenom signs unprecedented MLS deal that includes future Man City transfer
Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy's 'soured' relationship paints murky future for PGA Tour
Stars almost blow another lead, even series with Avalanche
Auburn's Hugh Freeze uncomfortable with 'bidding wars' for top players in transfer portal
Cavaliers punch back, blow out Celtics in Game 2
Coach: Oilers star center could miss Game 2 vs. Canucks
Watch: Cavaliers' Evan Mobley turns defense into offense in Game 2 vs. Celtics
Xander Schauffele tops stacked leaderboard after first round of Wells Fargo Championship
Suns talks with head-coaching target 'expected to move quickly'
Knicks get even more bad injury news ahead of Game 3