Kris Bryant is headed for an ablation procedure on his lower back tomorrow, Rockies manager Bud Black tells reporters (including Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post). The skipper called it “a minimally invasive procedure” and expressed optimism that Bryant could resume baseball activities within a few days.
It’s nevertheless the latest frustration as Bryant tries to manage his persistent back pain. He has been out since April 14 with what the team called lumbar degenerative disc disease. It’s the ninth injured list placement of the former MVP’s three-plus seasons in Colorado. Six of them have been related to his back and/or side. Bryant also battled left foot issues early in his Rox tenure and fractured a finger in 2023.
Bryant owns a .244/.324/.370 slash line over 170 games in a Colorado uniform. The Rockies used him exclusively at designated hitter early this season to reduce his workload. He hit .154 with two extra-base hits (both doubles) in 11 games. This is the fourth season of his seven-year, $182MM free agent deal. Bryant unsurprisingly made clear last month that he’s not thinking about retirement.
Black provided a few other injury updates this evening (via Thomas Harding of MLB.com). Infielders Ezequiel Tovar and Thairo Estrada are ramping up baseball activities, while starter Austin Gomber has pushed his long toss regimen to 90 feet. It’s most relevant regarding Gomber, who has been out all season with shoulder inflammation. He opened the season on a rehab assignment but suffered a setback that necessitated a move to the 60-day IL last month. Gomber received a platelet-rich plasma injection and is back throwing, though he’s still a ways off another rehab stint.
I’d rather have Anthony Rendon
Both miss the same amount of games and the only difference is one is a clubhouse cancer and the other isnt
It’s sad, but Rendon at least provides some positive value when he’s on the field. Bryant actively hurts the team by providing negative value when he plays. A depressing turn to what people though was going to be a HoF career.
FrankRoo, it’s true that Rendon provides some positive value when he’s on the field. Including this season, over the past five years, Rendon has put up a robust 1.7 WAR – to be clear, that’s total WAR. Though I have no idea how you’re credited with 0.6 WAR with horrible defense and an OPS + of 63.
I was just thinking that he is the new Anthony Rendon
Byron Buxton.
Buxton plays all out, every game. He loves playing and still puts up good stats. He’ll never play 162 because his body wasn’t meant to. It happens. He shouldn’t be in any conversation with Rendon, and nor should Bryant. Bodies break down, especially athletes.
Said no one ever.
I literally just said it
You literally just typed it.
MLB Fan,
It might have been talk to text.
Why?
This is so sad it’s true
Disagree. At least he’s not an insufferable a-hole that despises his own sport like Rendon
As bad as Rendon is he still shows up to work when he feels like it. That’s not saying much but I’m definitely taking Rendon in a wheel chair over Kris Bryant healthy. That is sad but that is reality.
Bryant’s idk what to even call at this point but arguably the most immovable contact in baseball today.
Colorados only chance to move off this is attaching a guy like calaz back and eating a good 40%
This team is awful an absolute expected dumpster fire everybody on the outside looking in knew was going to happen.
Bud black is 6-29 on the year.
He’s won since he’s blamed Hensley for all of this.
He’s really playing this Doyle card with the worlds smallest violin here.
He’s won 2 games since he blames Hensley for this
That John Denver is FOS man!
His contract doesnt end until after 2028 season
Yikes
Could have been one of the great ones
He briefly was.
This is the procedure that I often have. Pain relief lasts up to 3 months. But Kris Bryant is a much bigger guy than me. Height and weight so it could be very different for him. He definitely has more muscles on his back too.
You’re lucky. I’ve had it done several times as well. Mine lasts about 4-6 weeks, max.
Wait you have to get this done periodically? That sounds terrible, and if Bryant has to deal with this periodically as well, I don’t see how he can keep playing…
I think he wants to keep trying to honor his contract. I’ve talked about Bryant to a buddy of mine who is a pain management specialist in D.C. He also works with a bunch of regional athletes (and cheerleaders!).
When you have $108 million left on your contract, it’s not like you would walk away. Less about honoring the commitment to the team and more about riding it out.
Acoss, yeah, it burns the nerves to alleviate the pain signals; but, the nerves grow back, and when they do, pain returns. So, if successful, he will likely need to repeat this. The good news is that it takes about a week for all the pain from the procedure to go away, so it should not be a lengthy absence.
I’ve never experienced pain from mine, and I’ve had them both in the thoracic and cervical. They usually say to use ice off and on for 24 hours, and because the cervical requires anesthesia, you can’t be left alone. But by day two I don’t feel pain from the ablation.
There’s no recovery period. It either works or it doesn’t. But it can’t be done more than every six months.
Let’s be honest. Kris Bryant is not saving bud blacks job. But to be honest. He might lose it quicker if he’s healthy.
Hurt his back carrying all that money around the Rockies paid him
Good for him, rather hurt his back carrying money than hurting it while swinging-and-missing like a big whiffa.
Just send him to a farm upstate already.
Is “ablation” a baseball code word for “hurt a lot”?
youtu.be/TZruo5laKgY?si=4bAvIBZNIUgtfQ9U
It’s a very interesting procedure, but everything I’ve read about that surgery basically is about getting back “normal activity”. I haven’t seen anything suggesting it would be viable for the rigors of professional athletes.
If it’s needed, that or fusion would probably be after his career is over.
Bro at this point it almost feels like violating HIPA law by following this guys career. It’s basically just keeping up with his medical problems lol
KrIs BrYaNt iS nEVEr iNjuReD
The mortality rate associated with cardiac ablation procedures is generally low, with most studies reporting rates around 0.2% to 0.4% within the first 30 days after the procedure.
– Thoughts and prayers to Kris Bryant.
It’s not a cardiac ablation. It’s nerves in his spine.
I also have degenerative back disease. I had surgery to have 3 disks shaved down because they were crushing my sciatic nerve. My back is fine for periods of time. But the motion of swinging a bat consistently would be brutal. I can’t think of a worse motion. He might be fine for awhile but he’ll never be healthy on a regular basis. With as much money as he’s made in his career, I would choose my health over the money left on his contract. Life’s not enjoyable when your constantly miserable from that pain.