Rockies' Kris Bryant Faces Uncertain MLB Future Due to Back Injury

Chronic lumbar degenerative disc disease casts doubt on the former MVP's return to the field.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Colorado Rockies have placed Kris Bryant on the 60-day injured list due to a chronic back condition, raising serious questions about whether the former NL MVP will ever play in MLB again. Bryant has appeared in just 11 games since April 2025 and has acknowledged dealing with daily pain, with medical experts warning that his back injury is unlikely to improve.

Why it matters

Bryant's ongoing injury issues have derailed the Rockies' plans to build around him as a franchise cornerstone after signing him to a seven-year, $182 million contract prior to the 2022 season. The uncertainty surrounding his future affects the team's roster construction and long-term payroll commitments, while also raising the difficult possibility that his most recent appearance may have been his final MLB game.

The details

The 34-year-old Bryant has been dealing with lumbar degenerative disc disease, a chronic back condition that has limited him to just 48 total games over the past two seasons. Medical experts, such as The Injury Territory's Will Carroll, have stated that the only potential 'cure' for Bryant's back issue would be a spinal fusion surgery, which would significantly limit his flexibility and twisting ability, making it highly unlikely that he would be able to return to MLB.

  • Bryant was placed on the Rockies' 60-day injured list in February 2026.
  • He has appeared in just 11 games since April 2025.

The players

Kris Bryant

A 34-year-old former NL MVP who has been plagued by a chronic back injury while playing for the Colorado Rockies.

Will Carroll

A medical analyst for The Injury Territory who has provided a blunt assessment of Bryant's back condition and the potential long-term implications.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Kris Bryant's back situation is not going to get better. The cure for this would be to have a spinal fusion. What it can't do is move as it did naturally. You're not gonna get the kind of twisting force. You're not going to get the same kind of flexibility. Obviously, if you're putting a titanium cage into your spine, you're not going to get that. Players do not come back from this. In all likelihood, we've seen the last of Kris Bryant.”

— Will Carroll, Medical Analyst, The Injury Territory (Foul Territory)

What’s next

The Rockies have not announced any retirement plans for Kris Bryant, and the player himself has stated that he does not intend to step away from baseball. However, the team will likely need to make a decision on his future in the coming months as they continue to navigate the uncertainty surrounding his chronic back condition.

The takeaway

Kris Bryant's ongoing battle with lumbar degenerative disc disease serves as a cautionary tale about the fragility of professional sports careers and the challenges athletes face when dealing with chronic injuries. The Rockies' investment in Bryant has not paid off, and the team now faces difficult decisions about how to move forward with a player whose future in the game appears increasingly uncertain.