The Major League Baseball Players Association has filed a grievance against the Miami Marlins, Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates and Tampa Bay Rays, accusing the teams of failing to appropriately spend revenue-sharing money.
Union spokesman Chris Dahl, speaking Tuesday at the union's training camp for free agents, said the grievance was filed Friday. Union head Tony Clark declined to comment.
"We have received the complaint and believe it has no merit," Major League Baseball said in a statement.
If the case is not settled, it would proceed to a hearing before Mark Irvings, baseball's independent arbitrator. The grievance was first reported by the Tampa Bay Times.
If the case is not settled, it would proceed to a hearing before an independent arbitrator. Baseball's labor agreement says each club must use its revenue-sharing money "in an effort to improve its performance on the field."
Indians, Napoli reach deal
Mike Napoli is getting another swing with the Cleveland Indians.
The free agent slugger has agreed to a minor league contract with the team, pending the completion of a physical. Napoli spent 2016 with the Indians and had a major role in getting the club to the World Series, hitting a career-high 34 homers and 101 RBI.
The Indians are set at designated hitter (Edwin Encarnacion) and first base (Yonder Alonso), so there isn't an immediate roster spot for Napoli. However, manager Terry Francona may want to keep the 36-year-old Napoli around because of his leadership skills.