The most important thing you need to know about Kris Bryant’s recovery is that he won’t return to the Chicago Cubs until he’s 100 percent healthy from his shoulder injury that’s kept him sidelined twice already this season. The latest update is a positive step toward his eventual return.
Again, there is no set timetable, but after not even picking up a bat in a few weeks, Bryant took some swings, but the more important detail is that he’s pain free!
Best of all, Bryant doesn't feel any pain in his shoulder. #Cubs
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) August 11, 2018
Bryant first went on the DL in June after the team gave him a few days off to see if his shoulder inflammation would go away. It did not and he missed nearly three weeks. Bryant came back a few days before the All-Star break, played in 10 more games before once again going on the DL because of the shoulder.
Since then it’s simply been a waiting game for Bryant, as he’s getting rest and not losing faith in coming back. That’s one thing that Bryant has guaranteed through all of this. He will be back this season.
Via The Athletic.
Bryant also left no doubts about whether or not he would return this season: “I’m totally confident that I’ll be back.”
“It would be pretty silly if I wasn’t,” Bryant said.
Patrick Mooney’s article in The Athletic also included this, making it clear that the Cubs don’t want Bryant forcing a return if he’s not 100 percent.
Before Alex Rodriguez updates Bryant’s condition on “Sunday Night Baseball,” know that Cubs executives and the training staff and Bryant are all in agreement that the player shouldn’t be activated until he’s feeling 100 percent. Meaning the Cubs aren’t rushing Bryant back and asking him to completely revamp his swing and hoping he can find other ways to contribute as a patient hitter, lineup presence, good baserunner and versatile defender.
“They’ve shown how much they care about me,” Bryant said. “They want me to be 100 percent out there. Yeah, I feel terrible not being out there. But everybody’s making it a lot easier for me to not feel as guilty because they’re supporting me 100 percent.”
So, the wait continues, but at least this update points to a return in sight.
As for the future, Bryant plans on changing his routine, knowing he can’t go through the same vigorous preparation he once was able to endure.
