Major League Baseball will require teams to start games earlier than normal beginning in 2018, thanks to a rule in the new labor agreement that goes into effect when either team faces a flight longer than 2½ hours after the game.

The getaway-day changes will apply if a team has a game -- or even an off day at home -- the next day, according to sources.

The new rules also will prohibit teams from scheduling an early-afternoon game the following day if one of the clubs played a night game in a different city the evening before.