According to Thomas Harding of MLB.com, the Colorado Rockies have focused on ensuring that outfielder Kris Bryant remains healthy during the 2025 season. During the offseason, Bryant focused on improving his flexibility and core strength. Harding noted that the team is exploring several ways to limit his activity, including only putting him in the outfield when on the road and not at home, given Coors Field's dimensions. As a result, Bryant will likely be penciled in as the team's DH when at home. Since joining the Rockies in 2022, the former NL MVP has only logged a high of 80 games during the 2023 season. During 2022 and 2024, Bryant logged 42 games or less. Last season, he battled back and oblique injuries. In addition, with Bryant likely shifting to a part-time DH role, Harding noted that this could open a path for outfield prospect Zac Veen to reach the majors sooner than expected. In his limited stint last season, Bryant held a .218/.323/.301 line with just two home runs. Given his extensive injury history, he should only be targeted in deeper NL-only formats.
Colorado Rockies outfielder/designated hitter Kris Bryant (back) said he is doing well while recovering from back injuries that have limited him to 159 games since he signed with the team before the 2022 season. All checkups on Bryant this offseason have gone well, according to the Rockies. "He's doing good," 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." Over his three seasons in Colorado, Bryant has produced a minus-1.3 fWAR, which tied him for 2,069th among major-league players in that span. The Rockies plan to use him as their DH and right fielder in 2025 if he can stay healthy. He could also play first base, but Michael Toglia could play there full time. The 32-year-old only played in 37 games in 2024 and hit .218 with a 31% strikeout rate. Bryant's fantasy stock has plummeted the last few years.
Kris Bryant Not Close To Returning From Injury, Season May Be Over
Colorado Rockies first baseman Kris Bryant (back) is "probably not real close" to returning this season, according to manager Bud Black. The skipper went on to say that, "as each day goes on, it's becoming increasingly possible that Kris' season may be over." Bryant has been doing back exercises in hopes he can return to baseball activities and finish off the season with the Rockies, but it doesn't appear that there's a good chance of that. The 32-year-old has been the source of much frustration for Rockies fans and fantasy managers alike, as his tenure with Colorado has been injury-riddled; he's played in only 159 games for the Rockies since signing in 2022. His production at the plate when healthy has also subsided over the past couple years, as he's hit for just a .663 OPS in the last two seasons, well below his career .855 OPS. Fantasy managers that haven't already cut bait should do so now, as Bryant won't have any further impact in 2024. Those in dynasty leagues that are worried about Bryant's future may want to consider Michael Toglia, whose .363 xwOBA ranks in the 90th percentile and has helped him carve out an everyday starting job at first base for the Rockies.
Colorado Rockies outfielder Kris Bryant (back) is "questionable" to play again this season, according to Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post. Manager Bud Black expressed that the 32-year-old is "feeling good" and "doing better" but is running out of time to return to the diamond. Bryant has appeared in just 37 games this season and has held a modest .218/.323/.301 slash line with two home runs. 15 RBI, and a 13:48 BB:K. Bryant has been hindered by back injuries all season and may stay out for the remainder of the season. For now, fantasy managers should expect the rookie Jordan Beck and 31-year-old Jake Cave to see most of the starting opportunities in right field down the stretch.
The Colorado Rockies placed first baseman/outfielder Kris Bryant (back) on the 10-day injured list on Monday with a back strain and recalled outfield prospect Jordan Beck from Triple-A Albuquerque in a corresponding move. Bryant just has not been able to stay healthy for long periods of time since joining the Rockies before the 2022 campaign. The former National League Rookie of the Year and MVP will head to the IL for the third time already this year, and the second time for a back injury. The 32-year-old wasn't terrible since returning from his last IL stint on July 23, but he was swinging and missing far too often. The four-time All-Star has hit just .218 (29-for-133) overall in 2024 with only two homers and 15 RBI. It wouldn't be a surprise if we don't see him again this year. Beck, the team's No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline, should get some opportunities in Colorado's outfield down the stretch in another lost season for the Rockies.
Kris Bryant Reinstated And Starting Against Red Sox
The Colorado Rockies announced on Tuesday that they reinstated infielder/outfielder Kris Bryant (oblique) from the 10-day injured list and optioned outfielder Sean Bouchard to Triple-A Albuquerque in a corresponding move. Bryant is immediately back in the Rockies' starting lineup against Red Sox right-hander Cooper Criswell, playing right field and batting fifth. The 32-year-old former MVP will return to the big-league roster after playing in just three minor-league rehab games. He's been sidelined since June 6 due to a left-oblique strain, and while he should play regularly, fantasy managers should keep their expectations in check for an aging player that hasn't been able to stay healthy since joining the Rockies in 2022. Before getting hurt this year, Bryant was hitting .186/.307/.279 with two homers, 10 RBI and 11 strikeouts in 24 games.
Colorado Rockies first baseman/designated hitter Kris Bryant (rib) is set to begin a minor-league rehab assignment on Friday evening with Triple-A Albuquerque, according to Patrick Lyons of JustBaseball.com. Bryant went on the injured list on June 6 due to a left-rib contusion. Prior to the injury, the 32-year-old was carrying a poor .186/.307/.279 slash line with just two home runs and 10 RBI through 24 games this season. Lyons also said that Bryant is scheduled to play in the outfield on Friday, serve as the DH on Saturday, and shift to first base on Sunday. Following this three-game stint, he will be re-evaluated and could rejoin the major-league roster shortly after. Bryant is worth a look in deeper fantasy leagues, as he could provide a stable batting average with upside for power while playing at hitter-friendly Coors Field once he returns.
Colorado Rockies oft-injured slugger Kris Bryant (rib) took batting practice indoors and increased the intensity of his strength and conditioning workout on Friday, and it's "highly likely" that he will begin a minor-league rehab assignment next Friday right after the All-Star break, according to manager Bud Black. Bryant has been out since June 3 with a bruised left rib. The 32-year-old veteran was also on the injured list from April 14 to May 21 with a lower-back strain and just hasn't been able to say healthy since signing a seven-year, $182 million deal with the Rockies in March of 2022. The 2016 National League MVP is also hitting just .186 this year with two home runs, 10 RBI and a weak .586 OPS in 24 games this season, so fantasy managers in mixed leagues should continue to ignore him, even when he's on the verge of a return.
Kris Bryant Unlikely To Return Before All-Star Break
Colorado Rockies outfielder/infielder Kris Bryant (rib, oblique) took full batting practice ahead of Monday's game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park for the first time since getting injured on June 2. Bryant, who missed his 64th total game this season on Monday, said he wished the timing were such that he could return before the mid-July All-Star break, but it's likely to happen afterward. That's probably because he still needs to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before rejoining the Rockies, which will now likely begin in late July rather than sometime this week. Before going on the injured list for the second time this year, the 32-year-old former All-Star went just 16-for-86 (.186) with two home runs, 10 RBI, and five runs scored and makes for a weak stash in fantasy leagues.
Colorado Rockies outfielder/infielder Kris Bryant (rib, oblique) threw before Monday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Coors Field, and he also hit in the cage. There's still no timetable for his return from the injured list, however, and a minor-league rehab stint will be required before his reinstatement. The oft-injured Bryant is working his way back from multiple ailments, a left rib contusion and oblique strain, and he's missed 56 of 83 possible games for the Rockies in 2024. After slashing a woeful .186/.307/.279 with two home runs, two doubles, five runs scored, and 10 RBI over 86 at-bats before going on the shelf, Bryant does not need to be stashed in any fantasy leagues.
Kris Bryant
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