Is the MLB lockout over?

The MLB and MLBPA can’t seem to get a few important issues ironed out, forcing the lockout to drag on. Opening Day and the entire first month of the season are in jeopardy.

Rob Manfred, owners and players met until the wee hours of the morning on Tuesday, only to come up empty. They did make a few strides, however, and even ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan expressed a little bit of optimism that a deal could be coming soon.

Progress is a foreign word around these parts, as the two sides fought for every inch of bargaining power they have.

“We made progress,” a league spokesman said, per USA Today. “We want to exhaust every possibility to get a deal done.’’

MLB and MLBPA have agreed on a new, 12-team playoff format that will be unveiled in the CBA once other issues are agreed to. Those problems are primarily financial (luxury tax threshold, minimum salary and the bonus pool), however, which ought to make Tuesday afternoon’s session especially grueling. Hopefully, being up against the clock increases the urgency slightly.

MLB: When is Opening Day?

Opening Day had been scheduled for March 31. In order to save that date, and give players enough time in spring training, a deal must be reached by the 5 p.m. deadline on Tuesday.

If not, then expect in-season delays to follow.

We’ll have more updates as they come.