Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black stated that he doesn’t anticipate outfielder Kris Bryant being sidelined for a long time after he exited Saturday’s game against Toronto due to discomfort in his right ribs and back.
“I don’t think it’s severe, but we’ll wait and see how he feels overnight,” Black mentioned. “Hopefully, he’ll be ready to play tomorrow and the issue will resolve itself.”
Bryant, a former NL MVP and four-time All-Star, experienced soreness after colliding with the outfield wall while making a catch on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s hit in the first inning.
“That hit was quite powerful,” Black explained. “It wasn’t just a routine fly ball; it was more like a hard line drive. Kris had to react quickly because the ball reached him fast. Despite knowing the wall was there and that there would be contact, he managed to make the catch, which was commendable.”
Although Bryant warmed up in the batting cage and hit a double in the second inning, he continued to feel stiff and eventually struck out in the fourth inning.
Michael Toglia took over Bryant’s defensive duties in the bottom half of the inning.
Bryant’s batting average stood at .133 with one home run and six RBIs before the game. He was previously held out of the starting lineup last Saturday due to lower back tightness. Despite his return the following day, he struggled at the plate, going 0 for 3 with a walk.
Having started his MLB career with the Chicago Cubs in 2015, where he earned the NL Rookie of the Year award, Bryant later secured a World Series victory and the NL MVP title with the Cubs in 2016.
Bryant was traded to the San Francisco Giants in 2021 and subsequently signed a seven-year contract with the Colorado Rockies ahead of the 2022 season.
