Back problems have derailed Kris Bryant‘s first season with the Colorado Rockies.
The slugger, who put pen to paper on a seven-year, $182 million contract with the Rox, has accumulated just 92 plate appearances as a result of his recurring back issues.
Tuesday night, however, was a happy moment for him, as he hit his first home run of the year, and his first with his new team.
🚨 Kris Bryant’s first Rockies home run!
(via @ATTSportsNetRM)pic.twitter.com/T7vTTXyzCN
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 6, 2022
It was a no-doubter to center field against Dodgers reliever Phil Bickford.
The blast put the game at 4-2, still in favor of the Dodgers, who ended up prevailing, 5-2.
The Rockies Hope Bryant Can Start Hitting Homers In Bunches
Still, it was a nice moment for Bryant, and fans are surely hoping his injury issues are behind him and the home runs start coming in bunches.
Bryant had several offers on the table, but ended up deciding on the Rockies one even though some contenders were interested in his services.
He has five doubles and the home run in the 92 plate appearances, but even if the slugging part of his game hasn’t really been there yet, he hasn’t been a disaster: his .293/.350/.380 line is about what we can expect except for the slugging, and his .730 OPS, if he is truly healthy, will go up in a hurry.
As for the Rockies, they have fallen behind after an auspicious start of the season.
Their 35-46 record is the worst in the NL West division, and they have dropped two games in a row and six of their last 10.
They will probably miss the playoffs once again, but could return to relevancy as long as Bryant regains full health.
He is one of few difference-makers on the team.
NEXT: Rockies Make History By Slowing Down The Dodgers