MLB Key Dates

February 12, 2012

Voluntary report date for pitchers, catchers and injured players (Oakland and Seattle)

February 17, 2012

Oakland and Seattle full squads may report

February 19, 2012

Voluntary report date for pitchers, catchers and injured players (all other clubs)

February 24, 2012

Full squads may report (all other clubs)

Mandatory report date for all players on Oakland and Seattle

February 29, 2012

First exhibition game, Florida State University vs. Philadelphia Phillies, Clearwater, Fla.

March 2, 2012

First Spring Training game, Seattle Mariners vs. Oakland Athletics, Phoenix

Mandatory report date for all players on remaining clubs

March 11, 2012

Last date to renew Major League contracts

March 19, 2012

Last day to place a player on unconditional release waivers and pay 30 days termination pay instead of 45 days

Last date to assign an injured player to a Minor League club, if applicable

March 26, 2012

Earliest date that a club may backdate a placement on the Major League 15-day disabled list

March 28-29, 2012

Japan Opening Series 2012, Tokyo
Seattle Mariners vs. Oakland Athletics

April 4, 2012

Opening Night, St. Louis Cardinals at Miami Marlins

April 5, 2012

Opening Day

April 10, 2012

The first date that a player placed on the 15-day disabled list during Spring Training may be reinstated (if placed on or backdated to March 26)

April 14, 2012

First date that a player optioned during Spring Training may be recalled

April 15, 2012

Jackie Robinson Day

May 13, 2012

Mother's Day

May 15, 2012

Earliest date that clubs may re-sign players that they unconditionally released between August 31, 2011, and March 31, 2012

May 18, 2012

Interleague Play begins

May 28, 2012

Memorial Day

Start of Closed Period for the 2012 First-Year Player Draft

June 4-6, 2012

First-Year Player Draft

June 16, 2012

First date that Clubs may trade an eligible free agent player who was signed after electing free agency

June 17, 2012

Father's Day

July 2, 2012

First date to sign international players for the following season

July 4, 2012

Independence Day

July 8, 2012

Taco Bell All-Star Sunday, Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City
Futures Game, Legends & Celebrity Softball

July 9, 2012

Home Run Derby, Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City

July 10, 2012

83rd All-Star Game, Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City

July 13, 2012

5 p.m. ET, signing deadline for players selected in the First-Year Player Draft

July 16, 2012

Competitive Balance and Forfeited Pick Lottery

First date that assignable draft selections may be traded (through October 3, 2012)

July 22, 2012

Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Cooperstown, N.Y.

July 31, 2012

Non-waiver trade deadline, 4 p.m. ET

August 31, 2012

Waiver trade deadline. Postseason eligibility lists established at midnight ET

September 1, 2012

Active rosters increased from 25 to 40 players

September 11, 2012

September 11 Remembrance

October 3, 2012

End of 2012 MLB regular season

Immediately after the World Series

Eligible players become free agents

Sixth day after completion of World Series

First day that Major League and Minor League free agents may sign contracts with teams other than their former clubs

12th day after completion of World Series

Midnight ET, last date for a player to accept arbitration from former club

November 30, 2012

Midnight ET, last date to tender contracts

December 3-6, 2012

Baseball Winter Meetings, Nashville, Tenn.

December 6, 2012

Rule 5 Draft, Nashville, Tenn.