PHILADELPHIA Bryce HarperHe sat out the third consecutive game while he recovered from a platelet-rich plasma injectionIn his right elbow and the PhilliesThe slugger might not be able to play right field until the end of July.
Harper, the reigning NL MVP said he was optimistic of making a comeback in the three-game series against Padres. Harper did not participate in Tuesday's 3-0 defeat. The series will be concluded Thursday afternoon by the Padres & Phillies.
Harper received the injection Sunday due to a small tear in his throwing elbow's ulnar collateral ligament. He was forced into the designated hitter role. Harper has not played right field since April 16, and will continue to be designated hitter whenever he is back.
Joe Girardi, Phillies manager, stated Wednesday that Harper should not throw for at most six weeks.
“I think that he needs some clarification. Girardi stated that it helped to put him at ease. I think that knowing that he must wait, there isn't much he can accomplish until six weeks. He'll be able to focus on hitting. The concern for the player comes when the goal is closer to actually trying it out.
Harper, 29, is hitting.305 with nine home runs and 14 doubles. He also has 27 RBI and a.634 slugging rate. Harper could have spent the majority of the season on injured list if Harper hadn't been adopted by the National League as the designated hitter. Girardi indicated that Harper could have been used by the Phillies as a pinch hitter.
