Slumping Cubs send Kris Bryant to disabled list for first time in his career

Jason Owens
·Staff writer

The slumping Chicago Cubs got bad news on Tuesday, sending slugger Kris Bryant to the 10-day disabled list with shoulder inflammation.

The move is retroactive to June 23 and marks the first time the 26-year-old third baseman has been on the disabled list in his four-year career.

The 2016 National League MVP is hitting .280 with nine home runs and 36 RBI this season.

Joe Maddon not worried about Bryant injury

Cubs manager Joe Maddon doesn’t believe the situation is serious and expects Bryant to return to the lineup when he’s eligible. He told the Associated Press that the team wants to “make sure that he is well.”

Kris Bryant is headed for his first career disabled-list stint in the midst of a Cubs slump. (AP)
Kris Bryant is headed for his first career disabled-list stint in the midst of a Cubs slump. (AP)

Bryant thinks he hurt himself sliding

Bryant told reporters he believes that he injured his shoulder on a head-first slide.

“I didn’t think anything of it,” Bryant said. “I think I may have tried to play through it and come back too quick. It wasn’t anything debilitating, but swinging more, it kind of flared up. … We just want it to calm down so it’s not a recurring problem.”

The Cubs have lost five games in a row and 10 of their last 14. They will now be without a key player for several games, including three straight against the rival Los Angeles Dodgers.

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