Major League Baseball Players Association executive director Tony Clark said Thursday that the players have "resoundingly rejected" the owners' salary concessions, casting a bigger shadow on the league's 2020 start-up plan. Clark's statement comes in response to Wednesday's move by the owners, who rejected the union's proposal for a 114-game season and called for salary deferrals if the postseason is cancelled. The owners are reportedly mulling a 50-game season in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. "Earlier this week, Major League Baseball communicated its intention to schedule a dramatically shortened 2020 season unless Players negotiate salary concessions. The concessions being sought are in addition to billions in player salary reductions that have already been agreed upon," Clark said in a statement. The two sides are reportedly not close on what a curtailed season should look like and appear to be digging in their heels. The owners believe an agreement reached in March allows them to mandate a shorter season and the ability to reduce salaries if ticket-buying spectators are not at the games. The union says the deal gives them the right to be awarded a prorated portion of their salaries based on games played. "Rather than engage, the league replied it will shorten the season unless Players agree to further salary reductions. The league's demand for additional concessions was resoundingly rejected," Clark said. MLB initially planned to start the season on March 26, but spring training was halted March 12 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. gph/bfm