Bryce Harper remains sidelined after being hit on his right elbow by a 95 mph fastball from Spencer Strider during the first inning of Tuesday’s game. Despite fielding ground balls at first base for about 20 minutes before Friday’s game at Citizens Bank Park, Harper has now missed three consecutive games and has not yet resumed batting practice.
This injury affects the same elbow Harper had surgically repaired in November 2022, adding to the uncertainty surrounding his recovery and the Phillies lineup status. Harper described the area as “still super sore” and said he was undergoing treatment but was unsure when he would play again.
Recovery Progress and Phillies’ Roster Considerations
Harper and Phillies manager Rob Thomson indicated on Friday that they do not expect the injury to mandate placement on the 10-day injured list, though that decision will depend on his progress over the next several days. Harper himself said he would “probably won’t swing” in the batting cage on Friday as they continue to monitor his condition.
If the team opts to place Harper on the injured list, they could backdate the move to May 28, allowing him to return as early as next Saturday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Alternatively, if his condition improves quickly, Harper could be available for the Phillies’ series in Toronto starting Tuesday, with the team choosing to stay active without him this weekend and playing short-handed on the bench.
Harper’s History of Being Hit and Its Impact
Harper has experienced frequent hard-hit pitches in recent seasons, with 18 hit-by-pitches over the last five years, many in vulnerable areas. This latest incident struck his right elbow, following previous injuries earlier this year such as being hit on the right triceps in February and on the left elbow last September. In 2022, a fastball from Blake Snell broke Harper’s thumb, resulting in a two-month absence.
In 2021, he was struck in the face and wrist by a 97 mph fastball from Genesis Cabrera, demonstrating a concerning pattern of injuries caused by increasingly hard pitches. Harper noted the challenge posed by modern pitchers throwing so hard, saying
“That’s where teams go against me,”
—Bryce Harper, Phillies player
and added,
“It’s a bummer just because guys throw so hard now. It’s where guys go, sinkers in, heaters up-and-in. I understand throwing inside, I totally get that, I’m all for it, getting guys off pitches. But just control, guys throw a little too hard now to do that up-and-in.”
—Bryce Harper, Phillies player
Protective Measures and Adjusting to Playing with Braces
Harper plans to wear protective gear when he returns, likely doubling up on braces to guard his injured elbow. He previously wore a bulky brace following Tommy John surgery in May 2023, balancing protection with the need to avoid impairing his swing. Harper acknowledged the difficulty in finding braces that feel comfortable and effective, saying,
“There’s times where I’m ok with it, there’s other times where it feels kinda weird,”
and added,
“We found a brace that I wore during the Tommy John, so I’ll probably wear that again and a brace on top of that just to kinda feel it out. It’s really hard to find braces that feel good. I haven’t really worn them my whole career, I have here and there just to feel it.”
—Bryce Harper, Phillies player
He experimented with a brace during spring training in Clearwater as a precaution, not out of necessity, but found it challenging:
“I did it in spring training this year just because of this reason, I didn’t like the way it felt. Obviously just got to figure it out.”
—Bryce Harper, Phillies player
Harper’s Recent Performance Before Injury
Before his injury interrupted his season, Harper had been performing exceptionally well. Over the prior three weeks, he was hitting .329 with 10 extra-base hits and 17 RBIs over 21 games, contributing to 16 wins for the Phillies during that stretch. His absence leaves a significant gap in the team’s offensive lineup that the Phillies must manage carefully as they determine his return timeline.