The Philadelphia Phillies will be without reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper for an extended period after the outfielder broke his left thumb Saturday night against the San Diego Padres.
Harper, 29, was hit by a fastball in the hand and will be placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday, the Phillies announced. A timeline for his return won’t be determined until after Harper undergoes further evaluation in the coming days to determine whether or not he’ll need surgery.
“I’ve never had a hand injury like this,” Harper said, via ESPN. “Never broken anything in my life. This is new to me, so I’m just gonna go day by day, see kind of where we’re at and see the specialist in Philly. And if I do need to see another specialist somewhere, then I will.”
Philadelphia started the season with a 21-29 record through its first 50 games, but rebounded by winning 17 of its last 23, including a nine-game win streak to begin June. Harper was batting .359 in June with five home runs and 16 RBI.
Last season, Harper earned MVP honors for the second time in his career and the first time since joining the Phillies in 2019. He led MLB in doubles, slugging, and OPS, but Philadelphia was unable to reach the postseason.
Harper has spent the majority of the season as the Phillies’ designated hitter and the team said it will rotate Nick Castellanos, Kyle Schwarber and others into the role in Harper’s absence.
