Injury-prone Rockies DH Kris Bryant heads to IL again with bad back
The team said Monday's move, retroactive to Sunday, is due to lumbar degenerative disk disease.
The 33-year-old Bryant spent the offseason following a stringent program to strengthen his back.
'This is an aggravation,' manager Bud Black said. 'We don't want him to take any steps backwards by trying to push him through this. He's going to have to manage his back, just like a lot of players have to manage certain body parts to get through the season.'
Just like the Rockies, Bryant has gotten off to a slow start through 11 games. The team had a major league-worst three wins going into its series opener at the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday night.
Bryant is batting .154 with six hits, one RBI, 13 strikeouts and no homers.
Degenerative disk disease involves the breakdown and deterioration of the spinal disks, which act as cushions between the vertebrae. It's a natural part of aging, but can also be accelerated by injury, overuse, and lifestyle choices. While DDD itself isn't a disease, the resulting disk degeneration can lead to pain, nerve compression, and other symptoms.
Bryant signed a $182 million, seven-year contract to join the Rockies ahead of the 2022 season. He's appeared in only 170 games since then due to plantar fasciitis, a bone bruise in his foot, heel issues, a broken finger, a back strain, a lower rib contusion and now further back issues.
When he's been in the lineup, Bryant has batted just .244 with 17 home runs and 61 RBIs.
His numbers have tailed off dramatically since his best years with the Chicago Cubs. Bryant helped the Cubs win the 2016 World Series and was the NL MVP that year. The four-time All-Star hit .278 and averaged 31 homers and 89 RBIs between 2015 and 2021.
Colorado called up catcher Braxton Fulford from Triple-A Albuquerque to take Bryant's place on the roster, and right-hander Jeff Criswell was transferred to the 60-day IL.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
26 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Clement leads Blue Jays against the Rockies after 5-hit performance
Toronto Blue Jays (66-48, first in the AL East) vs. Colorado Rockies (30-82, fifth in the NL West) Denver; Tuesday, 8:40 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Blue Jays: Jose Berrios (7-4, 3.84 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 111 strikeouts); Rockies: Anthony Molina (0-0) BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Blue Jays -231, Rockies +189; over/under is 11 1/2 runs BOTTOM LINE: The Toronto Blue Jays take on the Colorado Rockies after Ernie Clement had five hits against the Rockies on Monday. Colorado has gone 16-40 at home and 30-82 overall. The Rockies have hit 117 total home runs to rank seventh in the NL. Toronto has a 66-48 record overall and a 28-29 record on the road. The Blue Jays have the highest team batting average in MLB play at .266. The teams meet Tuesday for the second time this season. TOP PERFORMERS: Mickey Moniak has 13 doubles, six triples and 17 home runs for the Rockies. Warming Bernabel is 15 for 36 with four doubles, a triple and three home runs over the past 10 games. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has 24 doubles and 16 home runs for the Blue Jays. Bo Bichette is 22 for 44 with three doubles and two home runs over the past 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Rockies: 4-6, .259 batting average, 9.42 ERA, outscored by 44 runs Blue Jays: 4-6, .307 batting average, 6.31 ERA, outscored by 13 runs INJURIES: Rockies: Seth Halvorsen: 15-Day IL (elbow), Antonio Senzatela: 15-Day IL (finger), Zach Agnos: 15-Day IL (hand), German Marquez: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Ryan Ritter: 10-Day IL (finger), Kris Bryant: 60-Day IL (lumbar), Jeff Criswell: 60-Day IL (elbow) Blue Jays: George Springer: 7-Day IL (head), Shane Bieber: 60-Day IL (elbow), Bowden Francis: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Ryan Burr: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Nick Sandlin: 15-Day IL (elbow), Andres Gimenez: 10-Day IL (ankle), Yimi Garcia: 15-Day IL (ankle), Anthony Santander: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Alek Manoah: 60-Day IL (elbow), Angel Bastardo: 60-Day IL (elbow) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Rockies host the Blue Jays in first of 3-game series
Toronto Blue Jays (65-48, first in the AL East) vs. Colorado Rockies (30-81, fifth in the NL West) Denver; Monday, 8:40 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Blue Jays: Eric Lauer (6-2, 2.68 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 75 strikeouts); Rockies: Tanner Gordon (2-3, 4.85 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 15 strikeouts) BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Blue Jays -204, Rockies +168; over/under is 11 1/2 runs BOTTOM LINE: The Colorado Rockies host the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday to start a three-game series. Colorado has a 16-39 record at home and a 30-81 record overall. The Rockies are seventh in the NL with 117 total home runs, averaging 1.1 per game. Toronto is 27-29 in road games and 65-48 overall. The Blue Jays have a 24-10 record in games when they hit two or more home runs. The matchup Monday is the first meeting this season between the two teams. TOP PERFORMERS: Hunter Goodman has 20 doubles, four triples and 21 home runs while hitting .278 for the Rockies. Warming Bernabel is 14 for 32 with four doubles, a triple and three home runs over the past 10 games. Ernie Clement has 21 doubles, a triple, five home runs and 32 RBIs for the Blue Jays. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is 11 for 38 with three doubles and three home runs over the past 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Rockies: 5-5, .269 batting average, 7.85 ERA, outscored by 24 runs Blue Jays: 4-6, .280 batting average, 6.41 ERA, outscored by 23 runs INJURIES: Rockies: Seth Halvorsen: 15-Day IL (elbow), Antonio Senzatela: 15-Day IL (finger), Zach Agnos: 15-Day IL (hand), German Marquez: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Ryan Ritter: 10-Day IL (finger), Kris Bryant: 60-Day IL (lumbar), Jeff Criswell: 60-Day IL (elbow) Blue Jays: Tyler Heineman: day-to-day (head), George Springer: 7-Day IL (head), Shane Bieber: 60-Day IL (elbow), Bowden Francis: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Ryan Burr: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Nick Sandlin: 15-Day IL (elbow), Andres Gimenez: 10-Day IL (ankle), Yimi Garcia: 15-Day IL (ankle), Anthony Santander: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Alek Manoah: 60-Day IL (elbow), Angel Bastardo: 60-Day IL (elbow) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. The Associated Press
San Francisco Chronicle
3 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Carroll and Gurriel drive in 2 runs each, Diamondbacks beat Padres 6-2
PHOENIX (AP) — Corbin Carroll and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. each drove in two runs, Brandon Pfaadt pitched into the sixth inning, and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the San Diego Padres 6-2 on Monday night. Tyler Locklear and Alek Thomas each hit a solo homer for Arizona. Pfaadt (11-7) gave up two runs in 5 2/3 innings and was replaced in the sixth by Andrew Hoffmann with runners at first and third and two out. Hoffman got Ryan O'Hearn to fly out to end the threat and pitched a 1-2-3 seventh before Kyle Backhus got the final six outs for his first career save. Gurriel singled off Padres starter JP Sears (7-10) to drive in Ketel Marte and give Arizona a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Carroll hit a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded that drove in Blaze Alexander — who walked to lead off the inning — and made it 2-0. Arizona has won three in a row after it lost nine of 10. Manny Machado doubled with two out and scored when Jackson Merrill followed with another double in the third. Gavin Sheets drew a two-out walk, moved to second when Ramón Laureano singled and scored on a single by Jake Cronenworth to make it 5-2. Jorge Barrosa doubled to lead off the fourth inning, moved to third when Ketel Marte singled and scored on a double by Carroll. Gurriel singled to drive in Carroll and give the Diamonbacks a 5-1 lead. Key stat Thomas went 2 for 4 and is hitting .371 (13 for 35) with a double, three homers, five RBIs and two walks in 11 games since the All-Star break. Up next Padres RHP Yu Darvish (1-3, 6.46 ERA) goes against Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (6-3, 3.20) on Tuesday. ___
