NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball has asked a federal mediator to intervene in stalled labor negotiations that likely will put off the start of spring training. On the 64th day of a lockout, MLB Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem asked the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to enter the dispute.
An agreement by the players’ association is needed for the federal conciliation service to enter talks. The union declined comment and its lawyers were expected to consult with players.
There is now almost no hope spring training workouts will start as scheduled on Feb. 16. Baseball’s ninth work stoppage will soon threaten opening day on March 31.
Also in baseball:
— Five major league pitchers are on the government’s witness list for the trial of a former Angels employee accused of providing Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs with the drugs that caused his overdose death. A filing by federal prosecutors says former Angel and current Red Sox hurler Garrett Richards would testify that Eric Prescott Kay once asked him for unused oxycodone pills. Kay’s trial is scheduled to start Tuesday in Fort Worth after several postponements. He faces charges of drug distribution and drug conspiracy in Skaggs’ death.
