Report: Manfred tells teams spring training, full season will start on time

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred told clubs Monday that they should plan to start spring training on time and play a 162-game campaign in 2021, sources told Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

Spring training is scheduled to begin on Feb. 27, and Opening Day is slated for April 1.

The Major League Baseball Players Association made clear to the league last week that players wanted spring training and the regular season to start on time; MLB's collective bargaining agreement states the union must agree to any scheduling delays.

Players received only 37% of their salaries during last year's 60-game campaign, while teams lost a combined $3 billion, Nightengale notes.

It's currently not known which clubs will allow limited fan attendance at games this season. No tickets for spring-training contests in Arizona and Florida have been sold yet, according to Nightengale.