The Philadelphia Phillies got a scare Friday night when superstar outfielder Bryce Harper was hit with a pitch in the right hand.
Harper had to exit the game and there were fears it would be a long-term absence in the middle of a wild-card chase, but X-rays were negative and Harper had only a bruise.
Harper, however, said he couldn’t grip a bat after the game. His status going forward is day-to-day.
Listen to the SNY booth. Those are real former players who get it. Bryce Harper avoids a scary one. #Mets pic.twitter.com/AdbDEkYrya
— ESNY (@EliteSportsNY) September 7, 2019
A scary moment
Harper was batting in the third inning of a scoreless game when a pitch from the Mets’ Steven Matz came up and in. It initially appeared as if it hit Harper in the face, but he had protected himself with his hands.
Unfortunately, that left his front hand injured. Harper took his base and finished the half-inning, but before the bottom of the third he left the game. Sean Rodriguez replaced him in right field.
The Mets ended up winning the game 5-4 on Pete Alonso’s bases-loaded walk.
Poorly timed injury
There’s no good time for an injury, but Harper’s is especially bad luck. He had hit 10 homers in the past 30 days, with five stolen bases and a .271 average.
The Phillies have fallen back in a crowded NL wild-card race. The Nationals hold the first wild card, two games in front of the Cubs. Behind the second wild card are the Diamondbacks (2.5 games back), and then a three-way tie between the Brewers, Mets and Phillies.
As for Harper, he’ll hope to return at some point this weekend to help the cause.
Bryce Harper’s X-Rays were negative. His right hand was wrapped up and he’s unsure if he’ll be able to play on Saturday night. He said he couldn’t grip the bat after being hit tonight.
— Matt Breen (@matt_breen) September 7, 2019
