It’s a story Rockies fans know all too well—one of their highest-paid players is once again dealing with injuries, with no clear timeline for a return. Since the Rockies signed Kris Bryant to a massive seven-year, $182 million contract before the 2022 season, his tenure in Colorado has been marred by ongoing health struggles rather than superstar production.
When the Rockies made Bryant their marquee signing that offseason, they likely didn’t anticipate his career would be plagued by repeated injuries. Before joining Colorado, Bryant had a solid track record of durability. With the exception of the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, he had never played fewer than 100 games in a year. From 2015 to 2017, he logged at least 150 games each season, only encountering a significant injury in 2018 when a lingering left shoulder issue limited him to 102 games. However, he bounced back in 2019 and 2021, earning All-Star selections while playing over 140 games each season.
His arrival in Denver was supposed to signal a turnaround for the struggling franchise, and Bryant himself expressed confidence that he could help change the team’s fortunes. "I've never played on a losing team in the big leagues, and I don’t plan on starting now," he confidently stated during his introductory press conference. Unfortunately, reality has played out differently. Since the start of the 2022 season, the Rockies have played 395 games—Bryant has only appeared in 146, barely 37% of those contests. If he doesn’t return this year, that number will drop to just over 30%.https://www.pinterest.com/pin/972073900844505358
Bryant’s injury problems started early in his Rockies tenure. In April 2022, he was placed on the injured list (IL) with a lower back strain. Though he was activated in May, he landed back on the IL just days later with the same issue. After returning in June, he was sidelined again a month later with plantar fasciitis, ultimately ending his season at just 42 games played.
Heading into 2023, Bryant and the Rockies were hopeful he’d finally be healthy. Rockies manager Bud Black expressed optimism, stating in January, "I recently spoke with KB, and he told me he feels great. His offseason workouts weren’t compromised, and he’s confident about where he needs to be." While Bryant dealt with minor back stiffness in spring training, he managed to start the season on time. "Everyone has back stiffness at some point playing baseball," he said, downplaying concerns.
His 2023 campaign, however, followed a familiar pattern. He made it to June before his first IL stint, this time for a bruised left heel that kept him out for a month. Then in July, he fractured his left index finger after being hit by a pitch, missing nearly two more months. While he nearly doubled his games played from 2022, the struggles persisted.
Once again, Bryant entered the 2024 season hopeful. "I feel great," he said in the offseason. "Last year wasn’t fun, but I’m excited to get back out there with a fresh mindset." But his optimism was short-lived—he landed on the IL before the end of April after colliding with the outfield wall in Toronto. This time, new details emerged about his back condition that cast an even darker cloud over his future.
"My discs are pretty much dried up," Bryant admitted in May. "My facet joints are severely arthritic, and there are a lot of bone spurs. It’s just part of getting older." This revelation suggests his condition is degenerative, making it unlikely he’ll ever return to his previous form.
Despite his declining health, Bryant tried to push forward. He returned in late May and even managed to hit a home run before suffering yet another setback in June. Initially believed to be a back issue, the diagnosis was later confirmed as a left rib contusion. The Rockies hoped he’d only need 10 days to recover, but that timeline has since been extended indefinitely after an MRI revealed an internal oblique strain—an injury with an unpredictable recovery period.
"It just sucks," Bryant admitted. "I’m trying to stay positive, but it’s been frustrating. I’ve been sitting on my couch watching games, researching ways to get better—buying all kinds of things online."
While Bryant’s frustration is understandable, Rockies fans have grown increasingly impatient. Availability is a key attribute for any player, and Bryant’s struggles have made it clear he can’t stay on the field. Three years into his contract, it’s evident he won’t come close to providing the value expected when the deal was signed. His production has also declined significantly, with his OPS plummeting from .851 in 2022 to just .586 in 2024.
At this point, the Rockies front office must confront reality. The money spent on Bryant is a sunk cost, and continuing to hope for a resurgence seems unrealistic. For Bryant, acknowledging that his career will never be the same may be the toughest but most necessary step. Given the severity of his back issues, a full comeback appears unlikely, and retirement may be the most dignified path forward.
As the Rockies continue to navigate a rough stretch, something has to give. Whether it’s the team making a tough decision about Bryant’s future or the player himself coming to terms with his physical limitations, the situation is reaching a breaking point. For now, fans are left watching a once-great player struggle to stay on the field—an unfortunate reality for both Bryant and the Rockies organization.
