MLB/PLAYERS CONTINUE TO DISCUSS OPENING SEASON

Major League Baseball has discussed playing a shorter schedule in which it would pay members of the MLB Players Association their full prorated salaries.

Sources say that while the MLB does not intend to propose this to the players, the possibility of implementing a schedule of around 50 games that would start in July has been considered by the league as a last resort in the event the parties can't come to a deal.

Players have held out for a full prorated portion of their salaries based on a March 26 agreement with the league, and in an offer Sunday proposed a 114-game schedule that would cover 70% of their original salaries. A 50-game schedule with full pro rata would pay the players 31% of that number.