Skip to content

Brewers' Braun 'more likely' to play in 2021 due to shortened 2020 season

Jamie Sabau / Getty Images Sport / Getty

In January, Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun said 2020 could be his final season, but the unique campaign might extend his career instead.

The 2011 National League MVP said Saturday that because of the shortened season and the implementation of the universal designated hitter, there's a better chance he'll play in 2021.

"I feel like it's more likely that I play another year than I anticipated a few months back," the 36-year-old explained, according to Steve Megargee of The Associated Press.

He added, "Obviously at this age and where I'm at in my career, it's very appealing to me to have the option to DH for a decent percentage of my at-bats."

Braun is in the final year of a five-year, $105-million contract, but he does have a mutual option for 2021. When healthy, the six-time All-Star has still produced at a high level for the Brewers. In his age-35 season in 2019, Braun posted an .849 OPS with 22 home runs, 31 doubles, and 75 RBIs.

However, the veteran hasn't made up his mind about playing this year. Braun's wife, Larisa, gave birth to their third child in May, and the slugger has to take his family's safety into account.

"The more I learned about the health and safety protocols that were in place, the more comfortable I felt with everything," Braun said.

"But again, I'm continuing to assess on a day-to-day basis, and Larisa and I continue to have conversations about what this looks like, whether it's safe for me to be here, whether it would be safe for them to join me here. And I think a lot of players are in that same situation in trying to assess it on a day-to-day basis and see what makes the most sense for them."

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox