The annual release window for MLB The Show is steadily approaching, but there hasn't been any official confirmation that the game is on its way. The series usually releases sometime in March or April, but developer San Diego Studio has yet to divulge any details relating to the next entry. MLB The Show 22 is likely suffering from uncontrollable circumstances pertaining to baseball at large, but a delay has not been officially confirmed nor denied.
The series' last entry, MLB The Show 21, garnered a lot of attention for ending the series' PlayStation exclusivity and bringing the baseball sim to Xbox consoles. It was also the first to come to the new generation of consoles, where an exclusive ballpark creator was available, making The Show better on PS5 and Series X. Many felt it wasn't ultimately the generational leap the series was capable of, but that leaves a lot of potential for MLB The Show 22.
Unfortunately, the development for the next game may be in a sort of limbo. Major League Baseball is currently in the midst of a lockout following the expiration of the league's collective bargaining agreement. The lockout began on December 2 last year, and new have yet to be agreed on by MLB and the Major League Baseball Players Association. As of the time of writing, it is entirely unclear when the lockout might end, though more frequent meetings happening between MLB and the MLBPA is a good sign.
Will The Lockout Delay MLB The Show 22?
Although the lockout is a complicated scenario involving disputes over free agency rules, post-season expansion, potential adoption of a universal designated hitter, and much more, it has a particular effect on the ability to use likenesses of professional players in MLB The Show. Without a collective bargaining agreement in place, Major League Baseball and media which purchased its licensing rights (such as MLB The Show) are unable to use the likenesses of current players. The effect of this can be seen on Major League Baseball's own website and the MLB Twitter page, which are both filled with legacy content.
It's unclear how exactly this alters ongoing development for MLB The Show 22, but the silence from San Diego Studio implies a weathering of the storm. With the lockout, any announced release date would be liable to change, and without the use of player likenesses, there are very few marketing opportunities for the game. Of larger concern to Major League Baseball, the lockout might force a delay of spring training, or even result in a shortened schedule. Meanwhile, San Diego Studio theoretically has a chance to improve MLB The Show 21's new stadium creator and make other significant gameplay changes while waiting on a collective bargaining agreement. While MLB The Show 22 hasn't been officially delayed, and remains without a designated release date, it may come out later than usual if the Major League Baseball lockout continues in a stalemate for much longer.
Sources: Major League Baseball, MLB/Twitter
