Rockies stuck in no-win situation with Kris Bryant

Outfielder Kris Bryant may not be setting foot on the diamond for the Colorado Rockies for the foreseeable future.

Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reported that Bryant is not considered a baseball player despite having his own locker in the clubhouse. Not only is he unable to run, but Bryant said that "Any time my feet hit the ground, I feel like I could probably fall over" due to his degenerative back condition.

The Rockies are fully aware of the reality of Bryant's situation. He has already been placed on the 60-day injured list, with the team preparing as though Bryant will not return. As manager Warren Schaeffer said, Bryant simply cannot play baseball at this point.

Colorado Rockies not getting relief from Kris Bryant's contract yet

Bryant had signed a seven-year, $182 million contract with the Rockies during the 2021-22 offseason. That contract has been a disaster for the Rockies as Bryant has battled a litany of injuries, appearing in only 170 games over his first four years in Colorado. He has posted a disappointing .244/.324/.370 batting line in his 712 plate appearances with the Rockies, hitting 17 homers and 29 doubles.

There had been questions as to whether or not Bryant even wanted to be in Colorado. Back in 2024, Bryant had said that, with spring training starting in 2022, he felt pressure to make a decision once the lockout was over, admitting that he did not do sufficient research into the Rockies prospects. While he was surprisingly candid, that interview, coupled with his injuries and poor performance, did nothing to endear him to the Rockies faithful.

For now, the Rockies are in a no-win situation with Bryant. His injuries are to the point where he may be unable to play baseball again. However, Bryant is not looking to retire just yet, leaving the Rockies on the hook for his salary. All the Rockies can do is wait for Bryant to make another decision on his future.