The Major League Baseball Players Association made a counteroffer to MLB's most recent proposal Tuesday, but the owners are expected to shoot it down quickly.
However, it is considered a step in the right direction, offering some hope that the two sides might be able to strike a deal at some point and save the season.
The MLBPA's offer, which reduces the number of games this season from 114 to 89 while insisting on full prorated salaries, was first reported by Jeff Passan of ESPN.
The season would run from July 10 to Oct.