Kris Bryant is getting closer to coming back, but before he officially returns to the Chicago Cubs from his shoulder injury the star third baseman will head out on a rehab assignment.
Bryant has not played since being in the lineup against the Cincinnati Reds on June 22. He missed the next two games that weekend and was then placed on the disabled list with left shoulder inflammation. The Cubs thought he’d be ready to return this past week after the 10-day period came and went, but Bryant still felt some discomfort in the middle of the week.
On Saturday, Bryant fielded ground balls at Wrigley Field and also took batting practice for the second straight day.
#Cubs Bryant pic.twitter.com/ct70XvKQ9B
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) July 7, 2018
#Cubs Bryant pic.twitter.com/qR5oK6WC1X
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) July 7, 2018
After being out of game action for more than two weeks, the Cubs have decided to send Bryant out on a rehab assignment.
Left-handed relief pitcher Brian Duensing will also go on a rehab assignment, joining Bryant in Tennessee with the team’s Double-A affiliate.
Kris Bryant and Brian Duensing will play for Tennessee Smokies in rehab games beginning tomorrow.
Bryant didn’t rule out returning to #Cubs’ lineup in San Francisco.— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) July 8, 2018
The Cubs haven’t set a definite timetable for Bryant.
Via the Chicago Tribune.
“We did not decide or determine how many (at-bats),” Maddon said. “I want to leave that up to him. Basically (it’s) how do you feel? Are you seeing the ball well? Does your shoulder feel good? Those kind of things.”
Bryant was off to a great start in 2018, posting a 1.023 OPS through May 19. However, during the last month it was obvious Bryant wasn’t the same and it now makes sense that his shoulder injury had something to do with it.
In the month of June, Bryant had a .706 OPS in 75 at-bats, with one home run, one triple, three doubles and six walks. You could tell Bryant was pressing, as he struck out 27 times in 84 plate appearances after striking out 25 times in 125 plate appearances in May.
Overall, Bryant has a slash line of .280/.383/.481, with nine home runs, 20 doubles, three triples and 36 RBIs in 264 plate appearances.
The Cubs have gone 7-5 since Bryant last played. They’ll be on the road against the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres to finish off play before the all-star break.
