Undoubtedly not the year he imagined for his first with the Colorado Rockies after signing a seven-year, $182 million contract in free agency, but after just 42 games played, Kris Bryant’s season is over.
The long-time Chicago Cubs third baseman, converted to full-time left fielder with the Rockies, dealt with multiple back injuries early in the year, and then a foot bone bruise/plantar fasciitis issue lately. He won’t come back from the latter.
Bryant received a platelet-rich plasma injection late in August for the foot issue, which offers more healing – but a longer recovery period – than a cortisone shot, which is mostly just to alleviate the pain and let you play through it. Were the Rockies charging for the playoffs, Bryant told MLB.com that he would’ve probably opted for the latter.
Bryant, 30, missed most of May and June with the back stuff, and then hasn’t played since July 31 because of the foot. When he was able to play, he did hit decently – .306/.376/.475/125 wRC+ – but even that was probably not the production level you’re hoping for from the early years of a deal like that.
Obviously most of us thought that was a head-scratcher of a contract from the start for the Rockies, but you wish Bryant well. No reason not to want to see him have some positive years, given the good memories he gave Cubs fans, and then some of the physical challenges he dealt with/played through in his later years with the Cubs.
“I’ve handled it as best as I could,” Bryant said of the missed time, per MLB.com. “It is a little depressing, just not playing baseball. Coming to a team and signing a deal, it sucks not being out there. Every year from February to October, I’m used to playing baseball. And for the most part this year, I’ve been watching. I’m totally excited for next year. I know what to expect and I’m comfortable with the guys. It’s been really cool to see the younger guys getting an opportunity.”
All the best to Bryant next year, in that case.