MLBPA: 'Nothing requires the league to delay the start of spring training'

Handfuls of baseball insiders have pointed out that MLB could lift the ongoing lockout that began after midnight ET on Dec. 2 so negotiations with the MLB Players Association about the big-money issues that divide the two sides could take place under the terms of the old collective bargaining agreement. That isn't happening anytime soon, as MLB confirmed expected news on Friday and announced that the start of spring-training games has been pushed back until at least March 5. 

Camps were set to open this week, and exhibition contests were originally scheduled to begin on Feb. 26. 

In a statement shared by Jesse Rogers of ESPN, the MLBPA lashed out at the latest move executed by the owners. 

"MLB announced today that it 'must' postpone the start of spring training games. This is false," the MLBPA said. "Nothing requires the league to delay the start of spring training, much like nothing required the league's decision to implement the lockout in the first place. Despite these decisions by the league, players remain committed to the negotiating process."

Rogers repeated previous claims that the parties "are far apart on a number of issues." 

On Thursday evening, ESPN's Jeff Passan tweeted bargaining sessions could occur "perhaps every day" beginning on Monday. It's believed Opening Day games scheduled for March 31 will be at least postponed if no agreement is reached before the end of Feb. 28: