Rockies World Series champ headed to injured list with degenerative disc disease

The Colorado Rockies are set to lose a key player who earned a World Series ring with the Cubs in 2016. While his stint on the injured list is initially just 10 days, the seriousness of his condition raises questions that will need official clarification from the club.

According to information from Thomas Harding, the player heading to the 10-day IL is Kris Bryant, who is suffering from lumbar degenerative disc disease. This isn’t his first time missing games due to injury, but his current condition appears to be a significant hurdle.

It’s worth noting that his injury is drawing significant attention, not only due to its challenging and complex nature, but also because Bryant has a hefty $182 million contract with the Rockies and hasn’t consistently delivered the performance they anticipated. To date, he hasn’t played more than 80 MLB games in a single season with the club.

When Could Bryant Return to the Field?

Rockies manager Bud Black stated that Bryant is expected to return in approximately 10 days. While he will be on the injured list due to his condition, he should be able to play again as long as he can manage his ongoing issue. “A lot of players — especially at this point in their career — have to manage certain things in their body,“ Black acknowledged.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 31: Kris Bryant #23 of the Colorado Rockies is congratulated in the dugout after scoring a run in the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on May 31, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

How Many Games Has Bryant Played for the Rockies?

Since 2022, Bryant has played a total of just 170 games for the Rockies. He managed 80 appearances in 2023 and was available for a mere 37 games in 2024. His glory days with the Cubs were the last times he consistently surpassed one hundred games in a season, with his most recent instance being in 2021 with 147 games played.