Bryant ‘Backed Off a Bit’ Due to Continued Discomfort, Trainer Says He’s ‘Getting Stronger’

Almost all the injury news coming from the Cubs lately has been of the positive variety. Yu Darvish recently threw pain-free for the first time in two months, Drew Smyly may be ready for a rehab assignment after his latest sim game, and Brandon Morrow threw on Thursday for the first time since going to DL. Oh, and Brian Duensing went to the DL with shoulder inflammation.

The latest on Kris Bryant seems a little ambiguous, but those whose with half-full rose-colored glasses will no doubt see the good in it. On the DL for the second time with a persistent shoulder issue, it was reported that Bryant has had to “back off a bit” from rehab work after still feeling discomfort in the joint.

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That’s not unexpected, or at least it shouldn’t be, as this was never going to be a matter of taking 10 days off. Though a second MRI revealed no structural damage, Bryant received a cortisone shot and the Cubs know they need to give this thing plenty of time to clear up.

If the initial report put that in any jeopardy, the subsequent note that the Cubs’ trainer said Bryant was “getting stronger” may put you at ease.

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It’s entirely likely that Bryant will miss another few weeks, perhaps even the whole month of August, as he heals fully. The emergence of David Bote offers an excellent short-term bridge, but getting Bryant back at full strength for the stretch run will be big.