Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association have begun talks to implement opioid testing across the sport following the death of Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs. Details still have to be worked out, but both parties are receptive to changes that would go into effect this offseason.



“We have been in active discussions with the Players Association about changes to our joint drug program to address opioid use, and I am cautiously optimistic that we will find common ground on this very important issue,” deputy commissioner Dan Halem said Monday.



An MLBPA spokesperson confirmed the discussions were ongoing.



If an agreement is reached, sources said testing likely would begin early in the new year at the latest.



Major league players are not subject to regular testing for drugs of abuse, including recreational drugs. Skaggs’ death at age 27 in July was a reminder to baseball’s highest officials of the dire...