The Rockies just added to Kris Bryant's misery and Cubs fans aren't having it

The Colorado Rockies just made a move that only deepens Kris Bryant’s tragic post-Chicago Cubs career, and Cubs fans are understandably furious.

2026 marks the 10-year anniversary of the Cubs' breaking their 108-year World Series drought. So naturally, this year's Cubs' Convention will feature members of the 2016 team returning to the city to celebrate with each other and with fans. The first event of the reunion was held on Thursday night, when videos surfaced on social media of the 2016 squad having a celebratory toast together.

But on Friday, reports emerged that Bryant, who was the most integral position player during the 2016 season, was notably absent because the Rockies' front office did not allow him to attend. Fans were understandably outraged by this revelation, especially because players like Kyle Schwarber and Javier Baez were there, and they are also currently signed to other teams, like Bryant is.

Editor's note - The Rockies have since denied the report that they prevented Kris Bryant from attending Thursday's dinner. Considering the circumstances of the event, along with where things stand between Colorado and Bryant, it wouldn't have made complete sense for Bryant not have permission to go.

It's honestly just really sad to see. If I were Bryant, I probably would have just gone to Chicago anyway because there isn't much the Rockies can do to him at this point. If they designated him for assignment, then they would have to eat the $81 million left on his contract. That would honestly be a favor to Bryant because then he wouldn't have to endure being part of arguably the least competitive franchise in baseball in the 2020s any longer.

Kris Bryant can't catch a break

Bryant's career has been very difficult to watch since he left the Cubs. As if the team trading him away in 2021 wasn't painful enough, we've also had to watch him struggle with a series of IL stints that have derailed his playing career. Eventually, Bryant was diagnosed with lumbar degenerative disc disease, a serious condition that has limited him to just 170 games since he signed his 7-year contract with the Rockies before the 2022 season.

There is no definitive answer on Bryant's current status, but the condition is threatening to end his playing career as he enters his age-34 season. The last update came in November, when Bryant revealed that he couldn't remember the last time he woke up feeling like he was in a good spot.

As someone who idolized Bryant when he was on the Cubs and cherishes the memories he gave the city of Chicago, it's heartbreaking to see him struggle with this injury. The least the Rockies could have done is let him have fun with the team he won his only championship ring with for a weekend. Denying him that while he deals with the possibility of prematurely ending his once-promising career is honestly a classless move that deserves to be shamed.