This story was excerpted from Thomas Harding¡¯s Rockies Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

DENVER -- Kris Bryant said this at the press conference after he signed his seven-year, $182 million contract with the Rockies in March 2022:

¡°I¡¯ve come from teams in Chicago, bringing a World Series there and knowing what it takes. We brought veterans in at that time, and I want to be that veteran presence with the guys here. Hopefully, they can lean on me for advice in big games. I¡¯m looking forward to a full seven years here.¡±

Three years into the contract, the best that can be said is there are four more years to fulfill that statement. But how those four years go first depends on whether what the Rockies say about Bryant¡¯s current offseason -- that he is adhering to a program to strengthen his long-troublesome back, and all checkups have rendered a thumbs-up -- holds true through Spring Training and a lengthy regular season.

After some trying times physically and emotionally, especially when the pain would not go away last season, Bryant¡¯s spirits are pointing upward as much as the Rockies¡¯ thumbs.

¡°I¡¯m always super hard on myself, but this offseason, I¡¯m at peace with what I¡¯m seeing, and I¡¯m super encouraged,¡± Bryant recently told The Denver Post. ¡°It¡¯s put me in a good headspace.¡±

Like the back injuries that have held Bryant to 159 games since he joined Colorado, there¡¯s a lot he and the Rockies would like to leave behind. For example:

? Unlike the Cubs when Bryant broke through as the National League Rookie of the Year in 2015, the Rockies were at the beginning of their building program. Key starting pitchers have, like Bryant, dealt with injuries.

? Basic inexperience through the lineup is one issue, with at least four regulars in Colorado's starting lineup having made their debuts since Bryant joined the team. Some have had notable performances, such as shortstop Ezequiel Tovar¡¯s two-way strength over two seasons, center fielder Brenton Doyle¡¯s Gold Gloves his first two years and Nolan Jones¡¯ standout rookie performance in 2023 before a drop-off last year. But the Rockies needed a proven hitter -- say, one with Bryant¡¯s record with the Cubs and Giants.

? Bryant had bouts with the back issue and plantar fasciitis in 2022, the back and a broken left index finger in ¡¯23 and more back struggles (including a rib-cage injury that turned out to be back-related) in ¡¯24. He simply hasn¡¯t been present enough to lead the team.

And much of that time, Bryant¡¯s lack of health has meant a lack of production. Over three seasons, Bryant has produced a minus-1.3 fWAR -- a performance that tied him for 2,069th among Major Leaguers over that period.

Even if Bryant doesn¡¯t return to the star he was a few years ago, the Rockies¡¯ expectation is he will be productive enough to improve the team¡¯s fortunes.

¡°He¡¯s doing good,¡± Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt said. ¡°From my understanding, he really hasn¡¯t shut down since the end of the season. He¡¯s working out. He¡¯s swinging the bat. Hopefully, we¡¯ll have him in Arizona in the lab a little bit. Everything I¡¯ve been told from [head athletic trainer Keith Dugger and staff], he¡¯s in a good place.¡±

There is a plan for Bryant to operate as a designated hitter and right fielder, with the Rockies giving other regulars turns at DH when Bryant is in right.

¡°We¡¯re better if he can rotate,¡± Schmidt said. ¡°Maybe he plays more in the outfield more on the road than at home. He can play out there a couple times at home. I don¡¯t see him strictly as a DH.¡±

Bryant also can play some first base, but the situation there is instructive.

The plan was for Bryant to see considerable time at first last season. However, Bryant¡¯s lengthy absences allowed Michael Toglia to work through early struggles but eventually take control of the position.

More absence from Bryant could allow another young player to step forward. Jordan Beck, a rookie last year, is bucking to turn potential into stardom. MLB debuts in 2025 are conceivable for Zac Veen (ranked as MLB Pipeline¡¯s No. 83 overall prospect and the Rockies¡¯ No. 3), Yanquiel Fernandez (Rockies¡¯ No. 4) and Benny Montgomery (Rockies¡¯ No. 16).

But the Rockies are entering the season with the belief that a healthy Bryant will approach his past production, set a higher bar for the prospects and, in turn, make the team better.

¡°For us to go offensively, you need everybody,¡± Rockies manager Bud Black said. ¡°But there are certain players who have talent that need to do what they¡¯re capable of doing. Kris has been hampered by a number of things physically that have kept him from being Kris Bryant.

¡°So we need that from him.¡±