Former Chicago Cubs superstar honored despite horrible start to the season

It's been a miserable start to the season for former Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant.

Bryant, now playing first base for the Colorado Rockies, made his return to Wrigley Fields on Monday where he received a standing ovation ahead of his first plate appearance.

Bryant, along with the rest of the Rockies' starting lineup, struggled on Monday in what was the Major League debut of Shota Imanaga. Bryant went hitless in four plate appearances on Monday while striking out once.

Monday's performance by Bryant was the continuance of what is the worst start to a season for the former 2016 National League MVP. Bryant is hitless through his first 16 plate appearances of the season while striking out 8 times.

The slow start to the season for Bryant comes after an offseason where the 2016 World Series champion expressed some regret over how he handled his decision to sign with the Colorado Rockies prior to the 2022 season. While stopping short of saying he made a mistake in signing with the Rockies, Bryant did admit that he may have cut some corners in researching his new team prior to signing.

The regression of talent continues for former Chicago Cubs superstar Kris Bryant.

While Bryant showed signs of regaining his offensive profile with the Rockies in 2022, posting a 128 OPS+, injuries limited him to 42 games. Injuries were once again the theme of Bryant's 2023 season but the offensive resurgence seemed to have faded away as he posted an OPS+ of 76 in 80 games played.

Injuries seemingly have all but diminished Bryant's chances of being a Hall of Famer once his career is done. It's a crazy statement to make considering the third baseman began his Major League career by winning Rookie of the Year and MVP honors in consecutive seasons.

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