Colorado Rockies injury update: The latest on Kris Bryant

Kris Bryant of the Colorado Rockies has taken another step toward returning to the lineup, but it still may be a few days before he makes his return to Coors Field.

Here is the latest injury update on Kris Bryant of the Colorado Rockies

Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black told reporters on Sunday prior to the team finishing a three-game series with the Kansas City Royals at Coors Field that Bryant would be heading out on a rehabilitation assignment to the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes. Bryant will be playing with the Triple-A team in Salt Lake City on Tuesday and Wednesday before Rockies officials and Bryant make a determination on when he might return.

It’s possible that, if all goes well in Albuquerque, Bryant could rejoin the team this weekend when the New York Mets open a weekend series in Denver. The Rockies are off on Thursday in the midst of a nine-game, 10-day homestand.

Bryant last saw action for the Rockies on April 25, going 1-for-3 in a road game at the Philadelphia Phillies. His ninth-inning single that day snapped an 0-for-16 skid at the plate. He is 5-for-25 in his last seven games played with the Rockies, part of a .281/.338/.351 slash line he has produced in his first 15 contests as a member of the Colorado club.

While Bryant has been out of action, Connor Joe has been Colorado’s primary left fielder while Yonathan Daza has taken advantage of the additional playing opportunities to secure a place in center field. Daza is 10-for-24 over his last seven games and is slashing .382/.426/.436 in 55 at-bats this season.

When Bryant is able to return, he will slot back into his role as Colorado’s left fielder and also see time as the designated hitter as the Rockies outfield is crowded with Joe, Daza, Sam Hilliard, Randal Grichuk, and Charlie Blackmon all vying for playing time. Black will likely use the DH slot to reduce some of the strain on the outfield playing time.