Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper left Tuesday night’s game against the Atlanta Braves after being hit by a pitch on his right elbow — the same arm he had surgery on back in 2022. It happened early in the game when a 95 mph fastball from Braves pitcher Spencer Strider caught him squarely in the elbow. Harper looked to be in a lot of pain right away, kneeling on the field before heading to the dugout with the medical staff.
X-rays Clear, But Concern Remains
After the game, the team said the X-rays didn’t show any broken bones, which is a good sign.The official word is that Harper has a “right elbow contusion,” which is a fancy way of saying a bad bruise. That’s some good news, especially considering he’s had serious work done on that same elbow in the past. Still, there’s some worry about how sore or swollen it might get, and the team said he’ll be checked out again on Wednesday.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson kept it real when he said, “You’re always concerned.” And honestly, that’s how fans feel too. Losing Harper for any amount of time would be a big blow. He’s been solid this season — 8 home runs, 33 RBIs, and a strong .823 OPS.
Phillies Hold On to Win Despite Harper's Exit
Even without Harper in the lineup, the Phillies managed to stay locked in and beat the Braves 2-0. Ranger Suárez pitched a gem and the bullpen handled the rest. Edmundo Sosa stepped in to take over, and Alec Bohm moved over to play at first base. It was a true team effort, and the win gave fans something to smile about even with the Harper scare.
As for what's next, everything depends on how Harper feels after some rest and evaluation. The Phillies haven’t said if he’ll miss any games yet — it’s a wait-and-see situation.
Image Source: Athlon Sports
