Kris Bryant’s persistent back problems go beyond just affecting his baseball career.
The Rockies’ third baseman is currently on the 60-day disabled list due to a degenerative back condition. He mentioned that daily life has become a challenge, stating, “It’s hard to grab toothpaste when it’s in front of me.” It sounds tough.
Reflecting on his struggles, the 2016 National League MVP expressed, “Every time my foot hits the ground, I feel like I’m going to collapse.” He conveyed his disappointment with the situation during a Tuesday interview at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, Arizona. “I came here to take stock of the situation and find out if there is a way to improve it,” he added.
It’s obviously tough to wake up in pain every day, but Bryant reports that he’s actively collaborating with the training staff and doctors to determine his next steps.
At 34, Bryant hasn’t had much of a chance to shine since signing a hefty seven-year, $182 million deal with Colorado for the 2022 season. His tenure with the Rockies has seen him on the disabled list ten times, leading to just 170 games played out of 648 over four seasons.
Performance-wise, he had a less-than-stellar batting average of .244/.324/.370 with 17 home runs and 61 RBIs while with the Rockies. Last season was particularly rough, as he only played 11 games due to his ongoing lower back issues, describing the pain as if “my whole body was being electrocuted.”
“I never expected this to happen. I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy,” he remarked, emphasizing the gravity of his condition.
Rockies manager Warren Schaefer acknowledged that the team “supports” Bryant in his recovery efforts, but, realistically speaking, he stated, “he can’t play baseball right now.” Schaefer added, “We have to prepare like he’s not going to play,” making it clear that his pain is significant.
Bryant, who began his career with the Cubs, was once on a promising track towards a Hall of Fame career.
He earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2015 and went on to capture National League MVP the following year, helping the Cubs end a 108-year World Series drought.
Despite all this, he has continued to face a rocky road and is mulling over the long-term repercussions of living with such a serious back injury. However, he isn’t thinking about retirement just yet.
He stated, “I don’t want to get it wrong,” while explaining he hasn’t delved into too many details but aims to find information that could help him manage the pain. “Hopefully, I’ll be in a little less pain than I was the day before.”
