Cubs’ Bryant relieved to return after brief bout of pneumonia

CHICAGO – Kris Bryant describes Denver as “awesome,” but the Cubs slugger said he always has felt ill there in some way dating back to his travel ball days.

Bryant revealed Tuesday that the early signs of pneumonia that caused him to miss the entire Cardinals series started last Wednesday in Denver when the Cubs were completing their series with the Rockies.

“It always was something,” said Bryant, who was relieved he underwent tests shortly after pulling himself out of the lineup minutes before Friday’s game.

Bryant, who returned Tuesday night to the Cubs lineup, said he has been building up strength steadily and felt well enough to start.

Bryant said it was hard to balance his desire to play over the weekend but knew he could hurt his team if he tried.

At the same time, Bryant was impressed his teammates kept their composure despite losing two of three games to the Cardinals and producing only one hit in 14 at-bats with runners in scoring position during the series.

“It would be easy to break a bat or put a hole in the wall,” Bryant said. “But nobody here is doing that. For me to sit back and watch it, these guys are true professionals.

”Ultimately when you act that way, you get paid back in big ways.“