Cutting back to 154 games a season not likely, Halem says

BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) Don't expect Major League Baseball to shorten each team's regular-season schedule from 162 games to 154.

Dan Halem, baseball's chief legal officer, said such a cut is not likely to result from talks next year for a new labor contract to start in December 2016.

''Eliminating eight games is a financial issue,'' he said during a news conference Wednesday at the general managers' meetings. ''By the same token, we understand getting some more flexibility in our schedule is important. At the end of the day, it's a significant economic issue for the owners. I expect we'll talk about it, but at this point I don't think I could say that it's a likelihood.''

The American League went to a 162-game schedule in 1961 following expansion, and the National League followed in 1962.

Teams currently play over a 183-day season, leaving few complete off days after travel is included.