MLB, players’ union reach deadline day

The MLB owners and players have reached a self-imposed deadline to arrive at a new labor deal. | Gene J. Puskar/AP

JUPITER, Fla. — Commissioner Rob Manfred and top deputy Dan Halem met with players Monday on the final day of negotiations to end the lockout before Major League Baseball’s deadline to salvage a March 31 start to the regular season and a 162-game schedule.

Emotions became more heated as the sides pressed for each other’s bottom line for a deal. Philadelphia star Bryce Harper posted a photo on Instagram altered to show him in a Japanese baseball uniform with the words: “Yomiuri Giants you up? Got some time to kill.”