MLB delays start of spring training until March 5; CBA negotiations resume Monday

Spring training games won't begin until at least March 5, Major League Baseball announced in a statement on Friday.

«We regret that, without a collective bargaining agreement in place, we must postpone the start of spring training games,» the statement said. «All 30 clubs are unified in their strong desire to bring players back to the field and fans back to the stands.

»We are committed to reaching an agreement that is fair to each side. On Monday, members of the owners' bargaining committee will join an in-person meeting with the Players Association and remain every day next week to negotiate and work hard towards starting the season on time."

Owners locked out the players in December after the last collective bargaining agreement expired, as negotiations for a new agreement haven't proven fruitful so far. Spring camps were set to open this week with games starting on Feb. 26 but all of that is on hold.

Talks between the league and the players union should intensify next week as a deadline to start the regular season on time looms.

Fans will have an option for a full refund on tickets purchased for any spring games not played, according to the statement.