The Cubs sent the 23-year-old third baseman to their minor league camp this week. Bryant hit .425 in spring training and led all players with nine home runs.
“I think I did all I could,” Bryant said Thursday. “I really tried as hard as I could.”
“I think there’s a lot to be excited about as a Cubs fan and as a Cubs player,” he said. “I’m just disappointed I don’t get to have an opportunity to do it at the beginning of the year, but I’ll be cheering them on.”
The Cubs said Bryant can improve his defense at Triple-A. Bryant’s agent, Scott Boras, contends the Cubs want to delay his major league debut to keep him for an extra year before he becomes eligible for free agency.