Kris Bryant’s return to the Rockies’ active roster remains just a concept, but at least he’s doing some limited baseball activities.
The first baseman/designated hitter, on the 60-day injured list with lumbar degenerative disc disease, has not played since April 12. He ran on the field for the first time Wednesday before the Rockies hosted the Giants at Coors Field, and he’s been playing catch and taking dry swings in the batting cage.
“It’s doing OK, but the running still gives me trouble because of the compression … puts me in some pain,” the 33-year-old Bryant said. “It’s a little bit of progress, and we’re just trying to see where I’m at. I’m trying to stay positive.”
Interim manager Warren Schaeffer said there is no timetable for Bryant’s return.
“He’s just doing exercises, with (physical therapy) and trying to get his body feeling right,” Schaeffer said. “I don’t think he’s close to coming back. That’s all I know.”
In April, Bryant talked at length about his chronic back condition and the physical and emotional effects it’s had on him. However, the Rockies’ highest-paid player — he’s making $27 million this season — said he wasn’t considering retiring.
“I want to be on the field. I want to play the game,” Bryant said at the time. “I want to talk to doctors, see if there’s anything else we can do. But I’m not gonna give up.”
In May, Bryant traveled to Los Angeles to undergo an ablation procedure on his lower back. According to the Mayo Clinic, nerve ablation is a procedure that destroys nerves in an area of pain. Destroying the nerves helps reduce or stop pain signals. It can sometimes help relieve long-term pain.
Bryant signed a seven-year, $182 million contract just before the 2022 season. It’s the largest free-agent contract for a position player in Rockies history. Bryant has played just 170 games across his four seasons in Colorado, with only 17 homers and a negative-1.6 total WAR. His list of injuries is long: plantar fasciitis, a bone bruise in his foot, a bruised heel, a broken finger, a lower rib contusion, as well as his chronic back problems.
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“I think he’s close. I thought the outing was good,” Schaeffer said. “We’ll see what the next step is. We’re not sure yet.”
Tuesday was Gomber’s second rehab start. In his first, he cruised through four innings on 41 pitches for Double-A Hartford at Portland.
Gomber, 31, experienced shoulder soreness during spring training and has yet to make a big-league start this season. He avoided arbitration during the offseason by agreeing to a one-year, $6.35 million contract. The lefty is eligible to become a free agent after this season, which makes him a potential trade candidate if he comes back and stays healthy.
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