MLB players, owners reach agreement, ending lockout

Leury Garcia (right) of the White Sox celebrates with Gavin Sheets after hitting a home run in Game 3 of the American League Division Series against the Houston Astros at Guaranteed Rate Field on October 10, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)GLENDALE, Ariz. — Play ball!

On the 99th day of an owners lockout, Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association reached a tentative agreement on a new labor deal Thursday that will get spring training started in a few days and start the regular season on April 7.

Spring training games in Arizona and Florida are expected to start March 17 or 18.

Both sides need to ratify the deal, but that is the expected outcome.