Brewers' Ryan Braun 'optimistic' the MLB season will happen

Milwaukee Brewers star Ryan Braun is "optimistic" that the baseball season will go as currently planned despite more than 40 players and team staff reportedly testing positive for the coronavirus. 

But he also admits there is a real chance the season does not happen.

"There's still a part of me that isn't quite sure we will actually play games," Braun said in an interview with Arash Markazi of the Los Angeles Times. "I'm optimistic that we will play games, but obviously if we look at what's happening in the country, the COVID numbers are not good. There are a significant number of athletes who have tested positive, which is indicative of the overall numbers in our country right now."

The MLB season was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and after contentious negotiations, the MLB and MLBPA agreed to play a 60-game season that begins at the end of July. This was expected to Braun's final season but if the season is canceled, it is believed he may hold off retirement. He turns 37 in November.

"We’re all hopeful we’ll be able to complete a season," Braun said. "Ultimately, the most important factor in all of this is the safety and health of everyone involved because we’re going to be traveling, staying in hotels, riding on buses and airplanes and doing all of these things where we will be around and interacting with people in communities all over the country. 

"If our health and safety become compromised, we would all be understanding but at the same time disappointed of having to cancel the season."