Major League Baseball proposed shortening the regular season from 162 games to 154 games starting in 2029 as part of its latest offer in collective bargaining negotiations with the MLB Players Association.

The proposal, announced Thursday, also includes expanding the Division Series from a best-of-five to a best-of-seven format in 2029 and allowing higher-seeded teams to select their opponents in the Wild Card Series and Division Series beginning in 2027. A standard weekly off day, typically Monday, would be added to the shorter schedule to benefit player health, with some exceptions for national broadcasts.

The changes would keep the current 12-team playoff field intact. The league stated that the shorter season would end one week earlier while still allowing for a potentially longer postseason, reducing weekday afternoon games and giving top pitchers more rest.

MLB spokesman Glen Caplin said the proposal aims to improve the product for fans and players. "Returning to a 154-game schedule would allow us to introduce a weekly off day, which is good for player health, while also creating a new national broadcast window to showcase our most exciting teams and players," he said.

The 154-game schedule was last used before the American League expanded to 162 games in 1961 and the National League followed in 1962. The league noted that player salaries would not be reduced proportionally, though bonus thresholds and similar provisions would be adjusted.

All elements of the proposal remain tied to the players' acceptance of a salary cap and floor system, which the union has opposed. The MLBPA said it is reviewing the scheduling ideas but emphasized that changes are contingent on agreement to a salary cap.

The current collective bargaining agreement expires December 1. Negotiations continue amid broader discussions on labor issues.