The Rockies announced that they have recalled outfielder Sean Bouchard from Triple-A Albuquerque. He will take the roster spot of first baseman/outfielder Kris Bryant, who has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a low back strain, retroactive to April 14.
Bryant, 32, crashed into the wall at Rogers Centre this weekend while catching a ball off the bat of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.(video clip via MLB.com). He was later removed from that game and hasn’t been back in the lineup since. The fact that he wasn’t immediately placed on the IL perhaps suggests he could return after a brief absence, though further updates will perhaps provide more information. Since the move was backdated by three days, Bryant could theoretically be back with the club in a week.
Going into the 2022 season, the Rockies and Bryant agreed to a seven-year, $182MM contract. The deal has not provided the results the club had hoped for to this point, which is putting it mildly. Bryant hit well in 2022 but only played 42 games due to back problems and left foot plantar fasciitis. Last year, a left heel bruise and a fractured left index finger led to IL stints. Bryant still got into 80 games but his production dipped, and he was also out to a slow start here in 2024.
Overall, Bryant has appeared in 135 games since joining Colorado, taking 571 plate appearances. He has hit .249/.329/.391 for a wRC+ of 86. That’s well shy of the .278/.376/.504 line he put up through the 2021 season, production which translated to a 134 wRC+. There’s still plenty of time for Bryant to turn things around but each trip to the IL will only compound the frustration among the Colorado fans as the largest free agent signing in franchise history continues to go for nought.
Bryant had been playing both first base and right field prior to his injury. Elehuris Montero has seemingly taken over at the regular at first, with the outfield spots filled by Brenton Doyle, Nolan Jones and Michael Toglia. Veteran Charlie Blackmon has mostly been in the designated hitter slot but has played some right field on occasion.
Jake Cave is on the roster as a reserve outfielder but he will now be joined by Bouchard, who turns 28 next month. Bouchard has a stout line of .304/.429/.563 in his major league career, though in a small sample of 140 plate appearances. He seemed to have a chance to earn a regular role to start the 2024 season but hit just .205/.308/.341 in the spring. However, he has mashed since reporting to Triple-A, putting up a line of .315/.431/.611 so far this year.
How can KB’s back be hurting? He’s hardly done any heavy lifting this year with that .149 average.
Reynaldo’s: Please, show a little respect for the player who has just set the record for most times on the IL for a back injury. That puts a crimp in the Rockies’ plan for a Kris Bryant day when the first 10,000 fans will receive a signed truss.
Baez or Bryant
Neither is a great deal, but I’ll take Baez over Bryant, because at least Baez plays a few days a week.
KB or Anthony Rendon?
None of the above?
I was thinking KB because his total contract is $63 million cheaper, but Rendon will be a free agent after 2027. You have to wait till 2029 to be done with Bryant
The cubs say thanks for taking both of them off there hands
I’ll take Baez at least he still provides good defense. They’re equally atrocious offensively though.
Baez is on pace for the best defensive year in history
And the worst offensive from any SS making that kind of money.
Baez because at least the Tigers can reasonably take a shot at winning the weakest division in baseball. The Rockies are just throwing money away hoping that Bryant can solo the entire Dodgers roster.
Glass Joe.
They call him Mr. Glass.
Another unmotivated, PED profile Boras dog, who sees a long term deal as a chance to go into early retirement and still get paid.
I don’t know about PED. Not sure where that is coming from. But I do agree that these long-term, guaranteed contracts are bad for sports.
Bad for sports how exactly? How would players being given a commensurate piece of the financial pie bad for anyone besides owners? I mean, they get hurt and sometimes suck but that only upsets the incels here and that’s a positive side effect if anything.
“Where that is coming from”…So, you find it normal that 20 something(when signed) ballplayers like Rendon, Correa and Bryant have the bodies of 70 year old men?…And in each case, they were practically Iron-men in their walk years.
PED use often helps with healing from injuries. If a lot of these oft-injured guys were juicing, they’d probably play a lot more games.
Bad logic here, mlb fan
rememberthecoop: It is bad for baseball because, once a player signs a huge contract, there’s little reason to rush back from an injury. They’re getting paid whether they play or not. So, after 30 minutes of rehab, it’s off to the backyard pool to skim the crap off the top, or spend the rest of the day tanning on the deck of their modestly sized yacht (to those who don’t play for a land-locked team).
@MLB all 3 you mentioned missed at least 14 games in their walk years. Reality just does not back up your claim.
Rendon had well reported “might want to retire early” proclamations before Arte Moreno bid against himself (again).
Correa has an issue due a prior injury that teams have been spooked at longterm.
Bryant. Backs are lingering. I ruptured a disc at 15 and played with it years. My last major back surgery was 10 years ago. David Wright was very similar.
@Dock
You care to review one link pertaining to Rendon mentioning retirement while with Nationals?
As for Wright he has spi al stenosis. Not that rupture a disk isn’t severe, but spinal stenosis is a condition and affects numerous disks.
Correa is currently the on IL with an oblique strain, not exactly anywhere near his injured leg.
I don’t have a link for Rendon. It was well reported. I’m sure it wouldn’t be a hard Google. He mentioned questioning playing much longer…not while he was in Washington, but during free agency.
I have the exact back condition as David Wright. Spinal stenosis goes hand in hand with disc injuries, as does neuropathy in the lower limbs.
I didn’t exactly connect Correa currently to what teams paused at hum about. I was responding the the original posting.
Commenters are too often throwing around PED accusations without basis. I could say that mlb fan is on PEDs and have just as much basis as he does for saying that about others.
Who did you say that about the other day mlb fan? I can’t remember at the moment.
He probably is. That could be the reason why he’s always leading the rage-filled, pitchfork brigade here.
Don’t let the fact that players get tested for PED’s get in the way of a good story. Fact is the Cubs were always worried about Bryant’s back because of his being 6’6″and had been playing mostly 3B his whole life. Why they started playing him more and more in the OF. Seems like he can’t even do that anymore. Good guy, Sad story.
When I read posts from fellow posters suggesting PEDs is not an issue in today’s game, I chuckle. I’m reminded of how the main stream media attributed the noticeable power surge around the league in the 1990s to everything but PED/steroid use. Why did they take this stance? To me, it is/was obvious. The MLB powers that be then … and now … and forever were/are willing to turn a blind eye to any suspicious activity that puts fanny’s in seats until absolutely forced to do something about it. MONEY MONEY MONEY.
I betcha ballplayers have been self medicating to gain an edge throughout the history of the game. In the 1960s, when I first started following MLB, players were “popping” greenies. And I’m pretty sure steroid usage at the MLB level was around at least starting in the late 70s/early 80s. Why? I had a college teammate who was using steroids “to get big” back then.
Self medicating at all costs to gain an edge will always be a part of the game. Is KB a user? I don’t know. But I predict sooner than later the newest designer PED products and masking agents that MLB & the PA have not been urged or seriously interested in to be uncovering, will be uncovered when they’re finally forced to do so.
Is C Yards Jeff the zodiac killer? O don’t know.
See I can do it to!
Bryant was also complaining of an eye twitch and was immediately placed on the 90 day DL.
Unbelievable
Dude has more aliments than Fred Sanford.
Is his wife named Elizabeth too?
I’m coming to visit you Elizabeth. You’ll know me, I’m the one with no money!
Can the Rockies even trade Bryant if they wanted to? Bryant isn’t just worth nothing in terms of prospects at this point, the Rockies would have to TRADE prospects with Bryant to get him out
“Trade prospects with Bryant”…Not only that, but they’d have to also include $$ to pay at least HALF of Bryant’s current deal. Talk about a player who just quits on his teammates.
Don’t threaten the Rockies with a good time! They might be figuring out which prospects will make the Cardinals better as we speak.
Rockies fans never talk about the trade that shall not me named with the cardinals
Kris Bust-ant.
Haha good one
What a god awful contract
grg
another laborer brainwashed by capitol to have laborers
Never mention that Bryant produces $240 million for the Cubs while being paid a fraction of that..
Why isn’t that a “bad contract”?
Because the contract in question is being paid by the Rockies not the Cubs.
Js
what does that have to do with it?
Why does it matter what team was paying Bryant in determining if it was a bad contract for him or not?
It’s a matter of the subject at hand (i.e., the Rockies contract), not the obfuscation mentioned in reply (i.e., the Cubs contract).
filihok:
Well, both of those statements can be true. But objectively speaking Bryant’s current contract isn’t ideal for any contending team.
ttr
The “ideal” contract for a contending team would be a player paying the team to play for them
Who cares what the ideal contract for a team is?
I think you are taking the comment too literally.
Are you on the spectrum?
Lol. Imagine being a communist in 2024
The whole problem with contracts in sports in general is most of the time they pay you for what you’ve done, not what you are doing or will do. So in this case the Rockies are paying for that great production Bryant gave the Cubs in the past while also paying for middling production in the present with the future looking fairly bad as well.
Lots of kind, supportive comments as usual.
wh
yup
a bunch of people who’ll never be as successful in their chosen careers as Bryant trying to make themselves feel superior. by bashing someone who is clearly more successful than they are
Pathetic losers
You would think he was a murderer or worse, instead of ya know a baseball player having his life and career ravaged by injuries that are beyond his control.
Maybe if they limit his innings play he might not get hurt.
“Limit his innings”…Kris Bryant has played 135 games total in the last 3 years combined. If they “limit his innings” any further he’ll be into his 2nd year of retirement.
Any chance beck gets a shot??
Why start Beck’s service clock in a season when they aren’t competing when he only has a handful of AAA games? Maybe after the Super Two deadline passes, like at the trade deadline if that opens up a spot. If not then, he competes for a job next Spring when Blackmon will be gone.
We’re past the point where his service clock maters for free agency, He’ll be up this summer to acclimate him ahead of starting in 2025.
It doesn’t matter for free agency at this point, but the Rockies won’t want to pay the extra arbitration money he’d get if he reaches Super Two status. I’ll stick with my prediction of the trade deadline if Beck is looking great at AAA. Or the September roster expansion if his AAA season is good but not great.
Every time this happens, which is often, I am reminded why the Cubs and Giants made no effort to keep him. We’re to assume his back is the reason he has literally sucked so far this year. It’s always going to be something with him. Four more long years after this one.
The Rockies should just tell him to keep the money and stay home. It’s not worth wasting the space in the locker room.
DO
“The Rockies should just tell him to keep the money and stay home. It’s not worth wasting the space in the locker room.”
Congrats, I guess, on being paid so little relative to what you produce that your employer continues to make space for you
solaris, you should look up the definition of “literally.”
His career is mostly over at this point, can’t ever see him being reliably productive again
Yup. He’s had back injuries since he was in his mid 20’s, and it seems to be breaking him down now. I’d be surprised if he ever even plays 100 games in a season again.
When the Cubs traded Bryant a lot of Fans were furious about the trade, but now I am guessing they are as happy as can be he was not given a max contract and was traded.
At least with J-Hey’s contract, the team ( Cubs ) got some defense from him but Bryant and the Rockies will never see him being productive ever again.
They can have him at DH full-time and I bet he injures himself just standing in the on-deck circle.
Waste of money, but not my money though!
I was glad CHC turned the page on Bryant and made no effort to bring him back in FA. The front office deserves some kind of award just for that. KB always had some kind of random injury going on, so it was pretty clear to most of us it was only gonna get worse as he aged. I think most Rockies fans have already accepted the reality that he’s gonna spend most of his time there on the IL.
Here with my popcorn reading the comments
Bryant was vastly overrated with the cubs. I’m a cubs fan and watched him constantly struggle with runners in scoring position. He should have had 120 rubies every year and not sure if he ever broke 100. I was happy to see him go. I was hoping cubs woulda traded him in 2018 when everyone thought he was so good. He wasn’t.
Yep. You have to see a player every day to really know, and we saw him every day. He was never clutch. (And by the way, there IS such a thing as clutch.)
Alan,
There is such a thing as clutch, but there is little to no evidence it is a repeatable skill over an extended period of time.
Clutch hitters are also Clutch the rest of the time too.
You both have memorized
Bryant’s 3,600 plate appearances with Chi.
Would it surprise you, that his BA, OBP, SLG.
were all better when runners were on base?
Or pretty much the same? (Very little deviation)
Sure sounds like he was much worse?
If there were only such a way to verify? And what would it tell us?
Some experts believe this knowledge could be passed down from ancient aliens 4,000 years ago. Perhaps one day, this will be revealed to us.
“not sure if he ever broke 100 (RBI).”
If only there was a way to find that information, like if you could click on his name in the article, and it would take you to a web page that had his career statistics.
If only…
Cubs win, Cubs win, Cubs win, R.I.P Harry.
That’s sad for the Rockies because they cannot afford to waste so much money and expect to compete. Hopefully they have insurance on his contract.
“Rockies Place Kris Bryant On Injured List Due To Back Strain”
If I woke up tomorrow with my head sewn to the carpet, I wouldn’t be more surprised than I am right now…
Bryant “crashed into the wall at Rogers Centre this weekend while catching a ball” Let’s trash the guy who goes all out to catch the ball because we don’t like his contract?
Don’t let pesky facts get in the way of muh outrage
Par for the course with Bryant. It’s a bit surprising he has lasted this long.
Only thing Bryant should be crashing into is a box full of bubble wrap
I remember when some morons on here tried to tell me Bryant wasn’t injury prone
You’re sooooo smart, congrats!
I think u were one of those morons lol
I don’t think it was a great deal, and I didnt then especially after trading arenado over “financial concerns” but I don’t think THIS level of ineffectiveness amd injuries could’ve been predicted. So patting yourself on the back is silly.
Yeah, they kept that narrative going until reality became undeniable. Now they’re just here to badger fans who do anything other than well-wishing and sending up prayers.
I remember when calling someone a moron would get moderated on this site before they let it turn into a sewer.
I’m not badgering people, I’m pointing out how nasty the comments are. You’re celebrating a guy getting hurt, it’s classless and this site is a dump.
Once again, “they” have ignored my advice and played Kris in the OF.
You want to pretty much guarentee an injury, just put him back out there.
DH the safest spot for him. The again, if he’s not going to hit anyway, DH not a good spot.
I almost feel sorry for him at this point, having been a Cub fan during his initial rise and all. But he has a nice family and plenty of $, so I cannot feel bad for him. Hope he finds a way to pull out of this though.
The Rox didn’t do their due diligence on Kris before they signed him to that big contract. The data and history was out there.
Due diligence would have been NOT packing Arenado to StL
Shocking how his career has deteriorated after a ROY, MVP & WS ring in first two seasons. Seemed as though he was on track for a HOF career. I don’t think he’ll ever get right in Colorado so I’m proposing a trade that would bring Kris to a contender, an opportunity to play with his childhood best friend from Las Vegas, Bryce Harper. Bryant is owed 26mil over the next 5 years (including 2024). Nick Castellanos and Taijuan Walker are owed 20mil and 18mil respectively over the next 3. Bryant is owed 105mil, Castellanos & Walker 114mil- so the money could work.
N. Castellanos RF
D. Hall 1B
T. Walker SP
For
K. Bryant RF
J. Bird RP
This would give the Phillies more payroll flexibility over the next 3 seasons and eliminate the log jam at SP. Rockies get an Allstar, a rotation stabilizer and a guy who could hit 30+ homers players his home games at Coors Field. The Phillies get Bryant who can play RF, with the hope that playing meaningful games will rejuvenate his career. The Phillies also add another RH reliever, which is necessary when you see how often Jeff Hoffman has been run out there. This would also allow the Phils to add another contract at the trade deadline or over the winter with the approximately 12mil in savings over the next 3 seasons. Bryant can’t be any worse than what Castellanos is providing.
1. K. Schwarber DH
2. T. Turner SS
3. B. Harper 1B
4. JT Realmuto C
5. B. Marsh LF
6. A. Bohm 3B
7. B. Stott 2B
8. K. Bryant RF
9. J. Rojas CF
Would also clear up a 40 man roster spot.
I just don’t think you’re going to play Bryant in RF very long. Backs are tricky and degenerative. He needs to DH/1B for a second division team,probably. He’s turning into a player that a team like the Pirates would pick up years ago.
A’s is the perfect landing spot for him.
Great trade for Rox, too bad it will never happen.
Rockies fan boo him even after he homered or drove in a run – I live in Colorado and rooted for the Rockies from the beginning and never seen the fan base reject a player that way (it’s a strong fan base) – it’s been angry with ownership/management incompetence for awhile and extremely angry the way they handled Arenado. Most Rockies fans just wish they dumped the humidor and went back to what the fans want a return to a home field advantage.
Boras players like Rendon & Bryant are why teams are balking at long term contracts/high AVV for players now, tired of getting burned.