LOS ANGELES -- Prior to Monday¡¯s game against the Dodgers, the Rockies placed Kris Bryant on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to April 13) with lumbar degenerative disc disease -- a lower back injury associated with the wear and tear of the spine.
Back issues have been persistent for Bryant, who served two separate stints on the IL last season with a back strain; Bryant also missed nearly two months with back issues in 2022. This marks Bryant¡¯s ninth time on the IL since signing a seven-year, $182 million contract with the Rockies ahead of the 2022 season.
Manager Bud Black said Bryant was placed on the IL for precautionary reasons and is expected to return at the end of the 10 days, but added that his back is something Bryant will likely need to manage going forward.
"A lot of players -- especially at this point in their career -- have to manage certain things in their body,¡± Black said. ¡°I think Kris ¡ had a real stringent back program that we¡¯re hopeful put him in a good position this season. This is just an aggravation.
"We don¡¯t want to take any step backwards by trying to push him through this one.¡±
Bryant, 33, last appeared in a game on Saturday, going 0-for-4. Through 11 games, the former NL MVP is hitting .154/.195/.205 with no home runs, while drawing 10 starts at designated hitter.
Bryant has yet to play in more than 80 games in a single season since joining the Rockies. He¡¯s struggled when healthy, too, posting just a .695 OPS with Colorado -- a stark contrast to the .886 OPS he compiled over parts of seven seasons with the Cubs, who selected Bryant with the second overall pick in the 2013 MLB Draft.
In corresponding moves, the Rockies selected the contract of catcher Braxton Fulford from Triple-A Albuquerque and transferred right-hander Jeff Criswell to the 60-day IL. In Bryant¡¯s absence, Kyle Farmer was slated to start Monday¡¯s game at designated hitter, with Adael Amador inserted into the lineup at second base.