The MLB players union accused MLB of attempting to "break our Player fraternity" in a statement released after the league canceled the first week of the regular season on Tuesday.
"What Rob Manfred characterized as a 'defensive lockout' is, in fact, the culmination of a decades-long attempt by owners to break our Player fraternity," the statement reads, in part.
Commissioner Rob Manfred announced MLB has canceled the first two regular season series after the league's self-imposed deadline for a new labor deal passed without an agreement Tuesday afternoon.
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The deadline was extended to Tuesday after the league and union appeared to make progress toward a deal during over 16 hours of talks Monday.
But the two sides were far apart on key issues Tuesday, and after the union rejected MLB's final offer made before the deadline, the league followed through on its threat to cancel games.
"Players and fans around the world who love baseball are disgusted, but sadly not surprised," the union also said in the statement.
MLB
"From the beginning of these negotiations, Players' objectives have been consistent — to promote competition, provide fair compensation for young Players, and to uphold the integrity of our market system. Against the backdrop of growing revenues and record profits, we are seeking nothing more than a fair agreement."
The league-implemented lockout entered its fourth month Tuesday. It's the first time in 27 years MLB has lost games due to a labor dispute.