The Major League Baseball Players Association has asked MLB to set a schedule for the 2020 season rather than counter the latest return-to-play proposal by the league.

The request sets the stage for the league to implement a significantly shortened schedule and deepening the labor strife between the parties.

In a statement, MLBPA executive director Tony Clark rejected MLB's latest proposal and said: "Further dialogue with the league would be futile. It's time to get back to work. Tell us when and where."

A March agreement between the parties allows MLB to set a schedule, and the league has suggested that in the absence of a negotiated agreement with the union it could impose a schedule of somewhere in the neighborhood of 50 games and pay players full prorated salaries worth a total of around $1.25 billion.