Kris Bryant’s time with the Colorado Rockies continues to be marred by injuries, as the team has placed him on the 60-day injured list ahead of the 2026 season. Bryant remains sidelined due to persistent lower back problems, raising concerns about his availability and impact this year. This setback came after Bryant signed a lucrative seven-year, $182 million deal, aiming to lead Colorado to success.
Struggles Since Joining Colorado
Bryant arrived in Colorado boasting impressive credentials, including four All-Star appearances, an MVP award, and a World Series title. However, the transition hasn’t gone as planned, with Bryant never playing more than 80 games each season since 2022. The chronic lumbar degenerative disc disease he battles has limited his playing time to about 42 games per year on average. Despite being Colorado’s highest-paid player for 2026, his performance on the field has been hindered by these health challenges.
Performance Impacted by Ongoing Injuries
The back issues have kept Bryant off the field for much of the past seasons, including missing nearly the entire 2025 season, where he only participated in 11 games. When healthy, Bryant’s numbers have fallen short of his MVP-caliber peak, with a career batting average of .244, 17 home runs, and 61 RBIs over 712 games with the Rockies. These are down from the standout statistics he posted during his MVP season, which included a .292 average and 39 home runs.
Uncertain Outlook for Bryant and Rockies
With Bryant expected to begin the 2026 season on the extended injured list, questions loom over how much he will contribute to Colorado’s efforts this year. Under contract through 2028, the Rockies remain hopeful he can recover sufficiently to play a meaningful role. Meanwhile, Bryant’s focus will be on rest and rehabilitation as he aims to overcome these persistent setbacks.
Significance of Bryant’s Health on Rockies’ Future
Bryant’s injury troubles add to the challenges facing the Rockies organization, which has struggled to build a competitive roster around him. His absence on the field affects team performance and dampens hopes for a turnaround. The coming months will be critical in determining whether Bryant can regain his form and fulfill the expectations tied to his substantial contract, influencing Colorado’s long-term strategy moving forward.
Spring training starts, and Rockies 1B Kris Bryant goes on the 60-day IL where he'll be out for at least the first 57 games of the season. Bryant, who played only 11 games last season, has played in 170 games in the first four years of his 7-year, $182 million contract.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 10, 2026
