:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65308929/usa_today_13398397.0.jpg)
The ankle injury suffered by Kris Bryant Sunday afternoon was tough to watch. He had to be helped off the field. Here it is again [VIDEO].
This morning, we have some further information on this injury:
Headed to Pittsburgh this morning. Will get official word on Kris Bryant later today but hearing it’s a moderate (Grade 2) sprain on his right ankle. Not a surprise after seeing the injury occur. Same diagnosis, basically, Rizzo had. Would assume he’s not playing this week.
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) September 24, 2019
Earlier this morning, I wrote that the Cubs still had a chance to pull a miracle and make the postseason. It’s one of the reasons Anthony Rizzo pushed himself to play last week after the similar sprain he had a week earlier.
But at this point, as Jesse Rogers says, Bryant is probably done for the 2019 season.
If that’s the case, he finishes with a .282/.382/.521 slash line in 147 games and 634 plate appearances. He hit 31 home runs, second-most in his career, had a career-high tying 35 doubles, and posted 3.5 bWAR (4.9 fWAR).
That’s a pretty good season, and per baseball-reference he hit well in “late and close” situations: .312/.424/.701 with nine home runs in 92 plate appearances in those situations, defined as “Plate Appearances in the 7th or later with the batting team tied, ahead by one, or the tying run at least on deck.”
KB should be good to go for spring training.