Spring training for the Rockies this year is surprisingly full of hope on multiple levels, but for Kris Bryant, last year’s struggles continue.
Bryant has been plagued by injuries since arriving in Colorado, but the most serious is a debilitating degenerative lower back condition. Some days, Bryant is unable to lift even simple household items, let alone swing a bat and run the bases.
“Some days it is difficult to reach the toothpaste in front of my nose,” he told the media on Tuesday. “It’s not like that every day, but on those days it’s like you just wish you had an answer.”
Bryant reported today to the Colorado Rockies complex in Scottsdale, Arizona, along with the rest of the position players, in preparation for the first full team workout of the spring. He is entering the fifth season of a seven-year, $182 million contract signed ahead of the 2022 season following the departures of franchise stalwarts Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story.
The former National League Rookie of the Year, MVP and World Series champion promised the struggling Rockies were able to turn things around with his help when he first arrived. Now, after playing just 170 games with -1.6 Wins Above Replacement, that vow has evaporated and Bryant is uncertain about his own future.
Bryant has undergone multiple treatments since his diagnosis, including a spinal ablation and multiple rounds of physical therapy. However, he has not engaged in any baseball activities since being shut down last April and his progress has been limited.
“Usually in the progression you start with the exercises, and then you move on to running,” Bryant said. “Every time my feet touch the ground I feel like I’m probably going to fall over.”
While Bryant isn’t ready to give up on his return to baseball, it’s hard to see him back on the field as he describes the pain he experiences every day.
“There are a lot of different sensations that I feel,” he said. “It feels like I’m being electrocuted all over my body. It’s not ideal. It’s pretty miserable. Maybe this is just part of old age, even though I’m not even old yet.”
The 34-year-old Bryant will begin the season on the 60-day injured list and will likely return to Las Vegas later this week to continue his treatments and look for a way to ease his pain. However, Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer suggested he will still be a presence at the club even if he doesn’t play.
“KB has done so much in this game and he’s been through so many experiences; obviously he can help young players when he’s around,” Schaeffer said. “It’s to the benefit of the young players, just his willingness to talk to them about hitting in certain situations and how to go about their business on a day-to-day basis. He’s experienced it at a very high level. He’s done great things in this game. That can’t be taken away and that has tremendous value.”
Schaeffer also made sure the media knew that Bryant was supported by the team.
“I know there are different opinions, but it’s very difficult for him not to be able to play, not wanting to play and just not feeling good,” he said. “It’s affecting him at home. He wants to be a father to his kids, and he’s having a hard time even when he has to bend over. It’s just really hard to go through that.”
“Everyone in our clubhouse is going to support Kris Bryant.”
Despite an apparent desire to return to baseball, Bryant has also avoided — at least publicly — discussing his future in depth.
“I honestly try not to let myself get there because when you’re dealing with it every day, you’re just trying to make it day by day,” he said. “For a lot of people with chronic pain, you don’t want to think that far into the future because you’re just trying to get through the day. So I haven’t allowed myself to do that.”
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