DENVER — Kris Bryant, who once topped the baseball world with the Chicago Cubs, has faced a challenging road since joining the Colorado Rockies in 2022. His ascent in 2016, when he was instrumental in ending the Cubs’ 108-year World Series drought and claimed the NL MVP title, seems a distant memory as injuries have hampered his performance in Colorado.
His struggles came to light again this Monday as a back injury placed him on the injured list for the ninth time since he donned a Rockies jersey. Speaking candidly about his troubles on Sunday, Bryant expressed his frustration, saying, “Just frustrated,” as he stood before his locker. He admitted that mentally, he was not feeling at his best as he tried to manage his ongoing health issues.
Recently treated with two anti-inflammatory injections for what is identified as lumbar degenerative disc disease, Bryant remains uncertain about the future, including the possibility of surgery. He noted, “Back surgery is a pretty big surgery, so obviously I’m not an expert on it. Maybe I should be by now with all the problems I’ve had.” His primary concern is to explore all treatment options to alleviate constant pain and nausea, aspects of his daily struggle that have affected his eating habits.
He recounted that after completing his back exercises on Saturday, he woke up on Sunday feeling unwell. This season, he has managed to play in only 11 games, with a batting average of .154, no home runs, and just one RBI. Since his high-profile signing with the Rockies, a seven-year, $182 million deal, he has participated in a mere 170 of a possible 506 games.
During his tenure of over three seasons with the Rockies, Bryant has hit .244 with 17 home runs. In comparison, he participated in an average of 121 games over seven full MLB seasons before coming to Colorado. Reflecting on his aging body and career, he remarked, “I’m not 23 anymore so you don’t feel like you can just roll out of bed and be Superman.” Despite these challenges, Bryant highlighted his dedication, stating, “I’ve worked extremely hard in the off-season and continued it through spring training and in the season. And that’s just the frustrating part.”
With a sense of hope and resolve, Bryant concluded, “Just want something to kind of fall my way.” His journey underscores the difficulties athletes face in managing career-affecting injuries, balancing their passion for the game with physical limitations.