Phillies fans received some bad news on Tuesday as it was announced that the face of the franchise was set to hit the 10-day injured list. Bryce Harper has been bothered by a sore right shoulder as of late but was given an injury designation due to a left forearm contusion.
Harper started the year with a bang but has cooled off over the past month or so. Overall, he has a line of .274/.395/.489 with a total of 7 home runs and 13 RBI. His .489 slugging percentage still leads the team.
His last appearance came against the Red Sox on May 23rd and since then, he was given a pair of days off and now lands on the injured list. He hasn’t registered a hit since a pair against the Marlins back on the 19th of May. In fact, Harper is 2 for 25 over his last 7 games and has been struck out 13 times. This is very unlike the star right fielder, but could well be down to the beatings he’s taken this year.
It’s not like Harper has had an easy season. He took a 94mph fastball to the face, has dealt with both a shoulder setback and a minor wrist injury, and is now nursing a left forearm injury. While Joe Girardi has continued to double down on the fact that Harper is absolutely fine, it would be beyond understandable if he was playing hurt and his form was declining as a result.
As for who steps in for the 28-year-old, look no further than Roman Quinn, who was activated in a corresponding roster move. He had previously missed time due to an index finger injury after gathering some traction at the plate.
Obviously losing Harper is tough for the Phillies, but it’s not as if they’re going to be without someone who was helping them massively over the past week. It makes way more sense to let Harper help up and get back to his best so that he can do what he does best.
Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire
