Aug 9, 2019; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) is greeted by right fielder Jeff McNeil (6) after hitting a two run home run in the fourth inning against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: Washington Nationals at New York Mets
NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball plans to unilaterally issue a 60-game schedule for its shortest season since 1878 after the players’ association rejected a negotiated deal of the same length, putting the sport on track for a combative return to the field amid the coronavirus pandemic. Six days after Commissioner Rob Manfred and union head Tony Clark negotiated to expand the playoffs from 10 teams to 16, widen use of the designated hitter to National League games and introduce an experiment to start extra innings with a runner on second base, the deal was rejected by players.
MLB plans to implement a 60-game season provided the union agrees with the health/safety protocols and that a spring training 2.0 to start in 7 days
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) June 23, 2020
Source: Owners plan to implement 60-game season once union responds to two questions posed in statement. https://t.co/6Erj1jLpfK
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) June 23, 2020
