Kris Bryant’s star-crossed Rockies tenure added another chapter earlier this week when the former NL MVP was placed on the 10-day injured list earlier this week due to lumbar degenerative disc disease. Recurring back issues are just one variety of the of several injuries that have limited Bryant to 170 games over his three-plus seasons with Colorado, yet it appears to be the most persistent obstacle keeping Bryant from getting onto the field for any sustained length of time.
Bryant shared some details about his situation with reporters (including MLB.com’s Thomas Harding) on Sunday, including some of the side effects of his current back problem. After undergoing an exercise program yesterday, Bryant said “I woke up not feeling great,” and described himself as being “in constant pain and nauseous, where I can’t eat, which was the situation today.” The nature of the back injury can come and go, as Bryant described a game situation where he was feeling fine for most of the contest, but by his final at-bat could barely swing.
The “extremely frustrating” degenerative disc disease has left Bryant at least thinking about a surgery, though “the doctors aren’t there yet” in recommending it. Such a procedure would almost surely end Bryant’s 2025 season and put him onto another lengthy cycle of rehabilitation and workouts with an eye towards Opening Day 2026, maybe as a best-case scenario.
For now, Bryant isn’t sure when he’ll feel well enough that a return to the field is feasible. He received two anti-inflammatory shots on Tuesday, though the injections apparently only provided limited help given his nausea today. In the bigger picture, Bryant also said he isn’t considering retirement, stating plainly that “I want to play. I want to talk to doctors, see if there’s anything else we can do. But, yeah, I want to not give up.”
Bryant’s seven-year, $182MM contract with the Rockies can’t be considered anything but a bust, as Bryant has hit only .244/.324/.370 over 712 plate appearances during the life of the deal, and the Rox have a disastrous 192-315 record since Opening Day 2022. Beyond all the talk of salaries and second-guessing front office decisions, one can’t help but feel sympathy for Bryant as he is struggling through what is clearly a painful situation that is impacting the quality of his life.
Until a health breakthrough emerges or perhaps until Bryant decides to get surgery, all he and the Rockies can do is play the waiting game. Colorado’s dismal 4-17 start has almost surely sunk whatever chance the team had at a competitive season, and the Rox have increasingly turned to a number of younger players making their MLB debuts as a possible glimpse into the future.
Money is already wasted. Colorado might as well cut him and let him go home to keep the roster spot. Or see if they can reach a retirement settlement like Was did w/ Stras. Roster slot is more valuable.
“Money is already wasted..Reach a retirement settlement”..Bryant’s agent, Scott Boras doesn’t offer do-overs, discounts or “settlements”.
The only “settlement” that Scott Boras will agree to involves both himself and Kris Bryant collecting 100% of the contract terms.
I’m doubtful that the MLBPA, where Boras also has major influence, would even allow a “settlement” that didn’t involve 100% of the monies owed being paid out. MLB isn’t the NBA, that does allow this type of settlement.
amp.foxsports.com/stories/mlb/nationals-pitcher-st…
I didn’t say lower the financial value but the Rox could come to the table if they want to give him a proper retirement and not DFA. He doesn’t have any good history in Colorado though. Perhaps they’d prefer to work out deferrals and Bryant would want to walk away with a retirement.
Bryant and Rendon should star in a sitcom together. They can call it “Jail”, as thats where they should be for robbing the owners for a combined total of over 400 million dollars
Bryant is more likable than Rendon
Bryant actually cares about his job unlike Anthony
Won’t somebody think of the poor billionaires
Steroids
I sometimes wonder if players in this sort of predicament that clearly want to play, do they ever feel guilty about taking such large sums of money without giving back even an iota of value? There a guys that don’t care and nor do they have to, its a contract signed by both sides and there is this risk the owners are taking by giving out such contracts. However I myself would feel badly about making so much money and literally doing nothing to deserve it. And yes, it is easier to cry in a Mercedes than it is to in a Corolla, but nonetheless I still wonder how many players would state the same sentiment.
It’s not even May yet and the Rockies are already giving up on the season.
All injury team: Kris Bryant, Anthony rendon, Mike trout, Byron buxton, Carlos Correa, Royce Lewis, Trevor story, pre 2021 Aaron judge, Giancarlo Stanton, DJ lemahieu, strasburg Chris sale and finally lance mccullers Jr
There’s gotta be people I’m forgetting
Back injuries are no joke, and with his type of reoccurring injury I don’t see him ever get back to average production.