Colorado Rockies notebook: Kris Bryant injury update, Tovar debut

What is the latest injury update on Kris Bryant? How did Ezequiel Tovar make history against the San Diego Padres on Friday night? We have that and more in today’s Colorado Rockies notebook.

Colorado Rockies outfielder Kris Bryant takes another step forward in his return from injury

With just 11 games left in the regular season for the Colorado Rockies, time is running out for Bryant to return to the lineup after going on the injured list at the start of August with plantar fasciitis. However, Bryant has taken another step forward in his potential return to the field.

According to MLB.com’s Thomas Harding, Bryant putting on a pair of baseball cleats and doing some baseball exercises adds a new chapter to the rehab the 30-year-old Bryant has been working through in recent days.

Could Bryant join the Rockies on their season-ending road trip through San Francisco and Los Angeles? Don’t count out the possibility.

Tovar makes history

Meanwhile, shortstop Ezequiel Tovar didn’t waste any time making an impact for the Rockies at the plate in his debut on Friday night at Coors Field.

Tovar also singled in the next pitch he saw, making him, according to Elias Sports, the first player in franchise history to record a hit on the first two pitches of his MLB career. The only other MLB player to do that since 2000 is Chicago White Sox pitcher Dylan Cease.

He was also the first Rockies position player to get a hit on the first pitch he saw since catcher Alvin Colina on September 19, 2006.

San Diego doesn’t handle the altitude well

Tovar was part of a 4-3 walkoff win for the Rockies on Friday night and continued Colorado’s recent dominance of San Diego at Coors Field. Since May 12, 2021, the Rockies have won 14 of the last 16 games against San Diego at home. This season, San Diego is just 1-7 against the Rockies in Denver.