MLB extends deadline to reach labor deal

Baseball fan Noah McMurrain of Boynton Beach, Florida, stands outside Roger Dean Stadium.JUPITER, Fla. — Major League Baseball gave itself and the players’ association six hours to salvage opening day.

After a marathon of 13 bargaining sessions over 16 1/2 hours produced progress toward a labor deal but left the sides still far apart, MLB extended its deadline to Tuesday at 5 p.m.

The sides planned to resume talks at 11 a.m. Florida time on the ninth straight day of bargaining.

Commissioner Rob Manfred had said Monday was the last possible day to reach an agreement that would allow the minimum time needed for spring training in order to play openers as scheduled on March 31. The union said it…