Colorado Rockies: The latest injury updates on Kris Bryant, C.J. Cron

DENVER  — For the Colorado Rockies, the wait for the return of C.J. Cron and Kris Bryant back into the lineup continues.

Before the Rockies opened a three-game series against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field on Tuesday night, manager Bud Black gave the media the latest update on the pair of former All-Stars and when they could possibly return to the Colorado lineup.

Colorado Rockies injury update: C.J. Cron

Let’s start with Cron, who has been dealing with back spasms that forced him to the injured list on May 15. Black said a couple of weeks ago that Cron was “moving around better,” but it appears it still will be some time until the 33-year-old Cron could rejoin the Rockies.

“C.J. is getting better. He’s improving. He’s still probably a week away from baseball activity,” Black said, adding that that meant taking ground balls and swinging the bat. Cron could potentially need a rehab assignment before joining the team, meaning it could be toward the middle or end of the month when he could be activated.

Cron was Colorado’s lone All-Star in 2022, but slashed just .197/.263/.341 after the All-Star break and has an OPS+ of 79 in 136 at-bats this season.

Colorado Rockies injury update: Kris Bryant

Bryant, meanwhile, is dealing with a left heel bruise that has kept him out of the lineup since May 30. While issues with plantar fasciitis and other injuries limited him to just 42 games last season and cut his season short, Black is adamant that the heel issues have nothing to do with a recurrence of plantar fasciitis.

“He’s getting better,” Black said. “His heel’s improving. He’s going to come out on the field today and play catch. He’s not going to run. He might take some batting practice. His challenge will be running because his heel hurts.”

There is no timeline for the return of Bryant to the Colorado lineup.