PHILADELPHIA Bryce HarperIt didn’t start for the Philadelphia PhilliesTuesday’s game against The San Diego PadresThe reigning National League MVP will likely miss at least one more match while he recuperates from a platelet-rich Plasma injection to his right elbow.
Harper received the injection Sunday due to a small tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. This left Harper unable to play as Philadelphia’s designated batter. Harper is still experiencing some soreness, but he hopes to be back against the Padres on Wednesday or Thursday. Harper will continue to be the DH when he returns. He has only played in his right field spot eight times out of his 34 games.
Harper stated before Tuesday’s game he did not believe he would experience “an improvement” for seven to ten days.
He was named NL Player of the Week for his batting.609 (14-for-23) and he had three homers, six runs, eight RBIs, and a 1.904 OPS over six games. Harper was unable to attend Sunday’s game against Dodgers.
Harper said, “I think the greatest thing is, that I can hit, as far right now.” “We’re going take our time. You need to make sure that it heals properly. I believe we are still a ways away from being the best at throwing a ball right-handed. The way I want. It helps that I am able to hit. We’ll continue with that for now.”
Harper said that Harper’s main goal is to return to right-field. Harper, 29 years old, is batting.305, with nine home runs and 14 doubles. He has 27 RBIs and a NL-best.634 slugging percent.
Harper declared, “I am very lucky it isn’t my left arm,”
Tuesday’s return from a 5-2 roadtrip against Seattle and Los Angeles saw the Phillies returning home.
Joe Girardi, Phillies manager, said Harper has “numbers of weeks” without throwing.