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Rob Manfred tells MLB teams to be ready to start on time, have full 162-game season

We keep hearing that Major League Baseball wants to begin the 2021 season as scheduled, and we heard it again late Monday, via Bob Nightengale of USA Today:

Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred informed clubs Monday that they should be preparing for spring training to start on time in February and to plan on a full 162-game season being played, three people with direct knowledge of the conference call told USA TODAY Sports.

The people spoke only on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

Major League Baseball was hoping to delay the season by at least a month to provide more time for players and fans to receive COVID-19 vaccinations, enabling fans to get back into ballparks earlier.