Rockies place 1B Kris Bryant (rib), OF Sean Bouchard (ankle) on IL

Field Level Media|published: Thu 6th June, 18:52 2024

MLB: Colorado Rockies at Oakland Athletics

May 23, 2024; Oakland, California, USA; Colorado Rockies first baseman Kris Bryant (23) after the tenth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Rockies placed Kris Bryant on the 10-day injured list on Thursday due to a left rib contusion, marking the second time this season the first baseman/designated hitter has been on the IL.

Bryant, who missed 31 games with a low back strain earlier this season, has been placed on the IL seven times since signing a seven-year, $182 million contract with Colorado before the 2022 season.

He made a twisting catch while bumping into the wall in foul territory on Sunday against the host Los Angeles Dodgers and missed the following three games against the Cincinnati Reds while getting treated for rib cage and back issues.

Bryant, 32, has played in 24 games this season and is batting .186 with two home runs and 10 RBIs in 86 at-bats. In parts of three seasons with Colorado, he is batting .247 with 17 homers and 55 RBIs in 146 games.

A four-time All-Star, Bryant was the 2016 National League Most Valuable Player while with the Chicago Cubs.

"It's been Kris' hope to stay healthy and play -- stay on the field," Rockies manager Bud Black said after a 12-7 loss to the Reds on Wednesday. "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."

The Rockies also placed outfielder Sean Bouchard on the 10-day IL after he sprained his right ankle Wednesday while running out a sacrifice bunt in the eighth inning of a 12-7 loss to the Reds.

Bouchard, 28, is batting .203 (15-for-74) in 25 games. He has played parts of three seasons for the Rockies and is a career .263 hitter with eight home runs and 24 RBIs in 73 games.

In corresponding moves, the Rockies recalled shortstop/outfielder Greg Jones and first baseman Michael Toglia from Triple-A Albuquerque.

Toglia, 25, is 5-for-47 (.106) in 15 games this season for the Rockies.

Jones, 26, is the No. 22 prospect in the organization, according to MLB Pipeline. He has hit .235 with two homers and five RBIs in 85 at-bats and has stolen 15 bases in 23 games at Triple-A.

--Field Level Media