MLB: Manfred, union meet on deadline day to save openers

Here are your Fox News Flash top headlines for February 28

Commissioner Rob Manfred and top deputy Dan Halem met with players Monday on the final day of negotiations to end the lockout before Major League Baseball's deadline to salvage a March 31 start to the regular season and a 162-game schedule.

Emotions became more heated as the sides pressed for each other's bottom line for a deal. Philadelphia star Bryce Harper posted a photo on Instagram altered to show him in a Japanese baseball uniform with the words: "Yomiuri Giants you up? Got some time to kill."

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Yankees pitcher Jameson Taillon, who attended negotiations last week, tweeted: "Players are used to their `threats.' Owners actions have made it clear all along that they have a set # of games where they still make profits/get TV money. They don’t want to play. It’s sad that these are the guys who drive the direction and `future' of our amazing sport."

The sides agreed to arrive at Roger Dean Stadium at 10 a.m., three hours earlier than usual. It was the eighth straight day of talks at the vacant spring training home of the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals.

Halem and Executive Vice President Morgan Sword met with the union for about 45 minutes in the day's first session, which ended about noon.

In mid-afternoon, Manfred and Halem met with the players for about 35 minutes.

The sides planned at least one more meeting. Mets pitcher Max Scherzer and free agent reliever Andrew Miler were the only players on hand.

The lockout was in its 89th day. MLB has not fixed an exact time to the deadline, which leads to the possibility of bargaining sessions stretching into the wee hours if both sides see a deal within reach.

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