Bryant challenges critics to 'bring it' after injury-riddled 2018

Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant is entering spring with a chip on his shoulder.

Bryant endured a fair amount of criticism for his less effective play last year - though he did suffer through an injury-plagued campaign - as the Cubs bowed out of the postseason with a loss in the wild-card game against the Colorado Rockies. He heard it, and he says he's using it as motivation.

"Definitely, a little bit," the 2016 National League Most Valuable Player said, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN. "But, boy, it was great. When you're not playing, you have a whole lot of time to just sit there and either go through a Twitter rabbit hole and start seeing things about yourself, or seeing things about 'trade him' and this and that.

"And I'm like, 'All right, I'm motivated. Keep 'em coming. Bring it.'"

Bryant was limited to only 102 games last season due to a lingering shoulder injury, and he slashed .272/.374/.460 with 13 home runs. Over the two previous seasons, he combined to hit .293/.397/.546 with 68 homers and 73 doubles in 306 games.

The 27-year-old looks to be on the fast track to finding his All-Star form.

Bryant went 2-for-2 with a home run in his first spring game on Saturday. His message to his critics: doubt at your own risk.

"We see some of these projections," Bryant said. "They are selling us totally short. That's not a good thing to do, because when our backs are against the wall, we turn it on. It's going to be an exciting season."