Boston Red Sox left-hander Rich Hill isn't optimistic that spring training will start on time due to the lack of progress between Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association on reaching a new collective bargaining agreement.
"I'm a little discouraged because of the movement. ... A lot of guys get a lot less than what they deserve because (teams) use spring training as a backboard to use as a negotiating tool. ... I'm not really looking forward to pushing spring training back. I think that's what's ultimately going to happen unless something drastic happens in the next couple of weeks," Hill told Buster Olney in an interview Tuesday for the "Baseball Tonight" podcast.
Hill, who's played in the majors for 17 years, added that there are repercussions for not beginning on time.
"Pushing spring training back, you're putting guys at risk for injury during the season," Hill said. "The other side of it, too, is the development of guys that are coming up through the minor leagues. ... Those guys are not going to be able to communicate with clubs."
Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report Feb. 14, while exhibition games start Feb. 26. However, there is a lot of uncertainty surrounding these dates with the ongoing lockout.
The league and union reportedly made some progress in labor negotiations this week but key economic issues remain, such as revenue sharing and arbitration.
