Kris Bryant “running out of time” to return to Rockies this season

Kris Bryant, who has struggled with injuries throughout his unproductive, three-year tenure with the Rockies, could be done for the season as he continues dealing with a chronic lower-back injury.

“He’s doing better. He’s feeling good,” manager Bud Black told reporters in Milwaukee on Saturday before the Rockies played the Brewers.

But Black also said: “You know, in the NFL, you’ve got ‘probable,’ ‘questionable,’ and ‘doubtful.’ I’m going to say it’s questionable, but we’re running out of time.”

Bryant, 32, has played just 159 games since signing a franchise-record, seven-year, $182 million free-agent contract in the spring of 2022.  He continues exercising and getting treatment to strengthen his back but is not doing baseball activities.

Bryant has not played since Aug. 6 and has been limited to 37 games this season, slashing .218/.323/.301 with two home runs. During his Rockies career, he’s slashed .250/.332./.381 with 17 homers.

The Rockies could have placed Bryant on the 60-day injured list when the major-league roster expanded for September, but that didn’t happen.

Even if Bryant were to return this season, it would be a challenge for him to get playing time. Michael Toglia has replaced Bryant as the starting first baseman and the Rockies are committed to playing their young outfielders for the remainder of the season. Bryant could see time as a designated hitter, but popular veteran Charlie Blackmon, in the final weeks of his one-year, $13 million contract, is Colorado’s primary DH.

After this season, Bryant will still be owed $107 million over the next four years. Whether the Rockies will continue to hold onto Bryant or move on and cut their losses remains to be seen.

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