Umpires Not Likely to Strike

Major league umpires do not expect a strike this season, the head of their union said Tuesday.

General counsel Richie Phillips met with umpires for five hours to prepare for today’s discussion with baseball officials on a new contract and saw some progress.

Phillips said the two sides “were very far apart, but not at an impasse.”

He added: “I have recommended the umpires not engage in any kind of work stoppage. . . . We don’t have to deliver a message to baseball, as we did in 1979, 1984 and 1990.”

The umpires’ latest contract expired on Dec. 31, and many baseball executives have said the issue of umpires’ authority must be resolved before a new deal can be made.