Kris Bryant's time with the Colorado Rockies has been anything but smooth sailing. After having three stints on the injured list last season, the former NL MVP lands on the 10-day IL with a left heel bruise, retroactive to May 31.
The move comes with Bryant in the midst of a 10-for-61 slump over his last 16 games. Overall this season, Bryant is slashing .263/.346/.374 with five home runs, six doubles and 17 RBIs.
Bryant signed a seven-year, $182 million deal before the 2022 season and was solid when healthy in his first year with the Rockies. Injuries limited him to 42 games in which he had a .851 OPS, 5 home runs and 12 doubles.
The Rockies struggled without Bryant last season, limping to their fourth straight losing season. This year brings more of the same, as the Rockies have the worst record in the National League at 24-33.
Making a big splash by signing a former MVP doesn’t always pan out for teams, as has been the case so far with Bryant in Colorado. A positive spin could be that it's Bryant's health, not his play, that has made his Rockies tenure a bumpy ride so far. The Rockies would likely rather have their prized free agent pick up in the lineup more often than he has been though.
Kris Bryant was once one of the most feared hitters in Major League Baseball. His decline in health and decision to sign with the Rockies as a free agent has made him a forgotten star in a league full of them.