The MLB regular season is already set to be shortened, and if no resolution between the MLBPA and MLB owners is reached soon, more games could be canceled. Despite the lack of optimism surrounding the situation, there's still a sliver of hope that the full 162-game regular season can be played in 2022. According to Chelsea Janes, league officials said that if a deal can somehow be reached by tonight, the league believes a full season of games could still be played.

The deal would need to be agreed to by 3:00 p.m. EST, and then ratified by later in the evening in order to get the full 162-game slate in, so it seems highly unlikely at this point. Still, if the MLB owners and MLBPA are motivated enough, it's possible that an agreement can be made in time for a 162-game season to be played.

The latest reports suggest the sides are working hard to get a deal done, and that it's down to the “2-yard line,” according to Jon Heyman. That's certainly an improvement from where talks stood on Wednesday, and could suggest that, even if not on Thursday, an agreement is looming in the near future.

As it stands, the league has already canceled the first three weeks of regular-season games. The first two weeks were canceled last week, and MLB announced the next week of cancelations on Wednesday.

Should the two sides reach an agreement, free agency would be set to resume immediately, with reports suggesting moves could be made as early as Thursday night.

So, MLB fans, don't give up hope. There's still a slim chance that we get a full season of Major League Baseball in 2022, which would be the comeback story of the year in and of itself.