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Hampered by back issues since joining the Colorado Rockies in 2022, outfielder Kris Bryant went on the 10-day injured list on Monday with a lower back injury.

Bryant’s specific issue, lumbar degenerative disc disease, is associated with wear and tear of the spine. The 2016 National League MVP with the Chicago Cubs twice spent time on the IL last season with a back strain and missed nearly two months in 2022 due to back issues.

To replace Bryant on the active roster, the Rockies selected the contract of catcher Braxton Fulford from Triple-A Albuquerque. The team also transferred right-hander Jeff Criswell to the 60-day IL.

Bryant’s current IL stint, retroactive to Sunday, is the ninth since he signed a seven-year, $182 million contract in 2022 with the Rockies. His season high in games played with Colorado is 80 in 2023.

In 11 games this season (10 as designated hitter), Bryant is hitting .154 with no home runs and one RBI in 39 at-bats.

After posting an .886 OPS in seven seasons with the Cubs, who made him the No. 2 overall pick in the 2013 draft, Bryant has a .695 OPS with the Rockies
in parts of four seasons.

Bryant is hitting .273 with 184 home runs and 548 RBIs in 1,054 games since debuting with the Cubs in 2015.

–Field Level Media