Bryant (rib soreness) likely headed to injured list

DENVER – Injury frustrations continue for Rockies veteran Kris Bryant, who is likely headed to the 10-day injured list with rib cage soreness, manager Bud Black said on Wednesday.

According to Major League sources, first baseman/outfielder Michael Toglia will likely be recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque.

Bryant spent 31 games on the injured list earlier this season with a low back strain, and was in his 10th game back when he made a twisting catch while bumping against the wall in foul ground Sunday at Dodger Stadium. He missed all three games this week against the Reds, and has been getting treatment on the rib cage and his back in the clubhouse.

The latest injury adds to a pattern of frustration that began not long after Bryant signed a seven-year, $182 million contract with the club before the 2022 season. In his third season in Purple Pinstripes, Bryant has appeared in a total of 146 games, and when official, this will be his seventh IL placement. The Rockies are headed to a seven-game road trip, four at St. Louis and three at Minnesota, and can’t afford to be a player short.

Bryant is batting .186 with two home runs and 10 RBIs in 24 games during his stop-and-start 2024.

“It’s been Kris’ hope to stay healthy and play -- stay on the field,” Black said after Wednesday’s 12-7 loss to the Reds, which extended the Rockies’ losing streak to five games. “It’s been interrupted often. And there’s frustration because Kris wants to play. These different types of injuries have cropped up.

“I don’t have a crystal ball. But hopefully, this will resolve itself relatively quickly and get him back on the field, get him back on the active roster and, hopefully, get some momentum performance-wise, where we see the real Kris Bryant.”

Bryant’s injuries have opened spots for the club’s prospects to receive lessons at the Major League level. Toglia, 25, fits this category.

Toglia, who has appeared for the Rockies each of the last three seasons, made the Opening Day roster for the first time this year. But he hit .106 in 15 games, with four of his five hits going for home runs. He has sizzled in 30 games at Albuquerque (.277, 9 HR, 27 RBIs). Finding a rhythm with sporadic playing time in the Majors has been difficult, but if the bat stays hot he can earn time at first base (his natural position), designated hitter and right field.

The Rockies may have another active roster spot to fill. Sean Bouchard sustained a right ankle sprain Wednesday while running out a sacrifice bunt. He was on crutches in the clubhouse. If Bouchard doesn’t heal quickly, the Rockies will have to decide whether to make a call-up from Albuquerque.

One option is to save the spot, even if they have to play shorthanded initially, for Nolan Jones, who was scheduled for his third injury rehab game for Albuquerque on Wednesday. Jones hasn’t played in the Majors since April 28 because of a low back strain. He sustained a left knee injury during his previous rehab stint.

The Rockies like their prospects, but would like to have Bryant, a four-time All-Star and former National League MVP and World Series champ.

“I can’t speak for him but I’ve spoken to him, and he’s shared some things,” Black said. “He’s exasperated.

“I’ve been around long enough to know that these things happen. In this day and age, you look at every roster, every team, everybody has got guys [injured] -- good guys. You’ve got to make the appropriate adjustments and roster moves. But he’s our best player when he’s right. And we need that. Every team needs its best player.”