Bryant returns to IL with left foot issues

SAN DIEGO -- The combination of a bone bruise and plantar fasciitis in Kris Bryant’s left foot has led the Rockies to place the outfielder on the 10-day injured list, manager Bud Black said Monday.

Bryant, hitting .306 in 42 games during a season that already has been affected by a back injury during the first half, left the Rockies’ 7-3 loss to the Dodgers on Sunday after the fifth inning. It was announced his foot was sore when the team was in Milwaukee during the first series out of the All-Star break, and Bryant revealed last week that he also has plantar fasciitis.

After the game Sunday, when Bryant moved gingerly on a couple of occasions, Black noted the potential of Bryant staying on the field as a designated hitter. But by Monday, the Rockies settled on rest. Bryant has been placed in a walking boot, and various treatments have begun.

“Keith [Dugger, the Rockies’ head athletic trainer] in consulting with our doctors last week, and the aggravation yesterday, it wasn’t going to resolve itself to the point where Kris could play through it in the next week,” Black said. “So we decided to be preemptive and do it now, let him get some therapy, get treatment, alleviate some of the swelling that’s happened the last couple of days that wasn’t there three or four days ago.”

Infielder Alan Trejo was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque to fill Bryant's spot on the active roster.

Especially late in the first half, the Rockies were a far better team with Bryant than without him. His presence and general improved overall play had the Rockies entering the second half hoping to climb into the National League Wild Card race.

The team has struggled, however, coming out of the All-Star break.

Bryant, though affected by the injury, has a slash line of .324/.410/.529 in his nine second-half appearances, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a couple of late bullpen hiccups and slumps throughout the lineup.

After going well above .500 with Bryant available before the break, the Rockies are 2-7 in games he has played since the break to slide to 20-22 with him on the field. The struggles have been more because of some late bullpen hiccups, plus slumps by a couple of starters and several key offensive players.