WASHINGTON — The infected blister that kept Bryce Harper out of the Phillies’ lineup Saturday sidelined the slugger again Sunday for the club’s series finale vs. the Nationals. The Phillies are hopeful the issue resolves itself enough for Harper to return Tuesday, when they continue their 11-game road trip with a two-game Interleague set against the Rangers in Texas.
The Phillies have Monday off, which will grant Harper an extra day to heal in hopes of missing as little time as possible. The blister appeared on the palm of Harper’s left hand Saturday morning, after he came off the bench to contribute a key pinch-hit double in Game 2 of Friday’s doubleheader in Washington. He is being treated for the issue in part with oral antibiotics and is considered day to day.
Harper has not addressed the issue publicly, but Phillies interim manager Rob Thomson described its origin as baseball-related, “just from reps, hitting in the cage, all that stuff.” Thomson was noncommittal Sunday morning when asked if Harper could return Tuesday.
“I think there is a chance,” Thomson said. “It’s still swollen.”
The Phillies entered play Sunday winners of 14 of 16 games and with the Majors’ second-best record this month (14-2), behind only the Braves and Yankees (14-1). They’ve hit 30 homers and are averaging 6.4 runs per game in June.
Harper has been a big part of that, hitting .404 (21-for-52) with five homers and 16 RBIs in 15 June games. But he’s far from Philadelphia’s only offensive threat, with Kyle Schwarber (7 HRs, 1.129 OPS this month) and Rhys Hoskins (5 HRs, 1.104 OPS this month) in particular thriving at the top of the lineup during this recent run. Meanwhile, the Phillies are looking to get other key contributors like Nick Castellanos and J.T. Realmuto going after slow starts.
Harper is still restricted to designated-hitter duties due to the UCL tear in his right elbow, but the injury hasn’t affected him at the plate. He is following up his second MVP season with an excellent first half in 2022, hitting .326 with 15 homers and a 1.013 OPS in 60 games.
“Whenever you have injuries, you need to be good enough for guys to step in and absorb the injuries,” Thomson said. “We all know how great Harp is, but other guys have to step up and contribute, and that’s what they’re doing.”