PHILADELPHIA — Bryce Harper exited the first inning of Tuesday’s ballgame after being hit in the elbow with a pitch.
Harper Exits
Facing off against Spencer Strider in the first inning, a 95-mile-per-hour fastball came up and in on Harper. The Phillies’ first baseman had no chance of getting out of the way, and the ball cleanly hit him square in the elbow.
Immediately after, Harper fell to the ground in pain. He seemingly could not shake off the pain as the training staff rushed over to support him. After a few minutes, he exited into the dugout and was removed from the game.
Edmundo Sosa entered the game as a pinch-runner for the Phillies’ first baseman. He entered the game at third base, sliding Alec Bohm over to first.
This is not the first time that Harper has dealt with injuries after being hit by a pitch. He missed time in 2021 after being hit in the face by Cardinals pitcher Genesis Cabrera. Harper missed significant time due to that injury. In 2022, Blake Snell hit him on the thumb, causing him to miss time once again.
It remains to be seen if this was just a one-game item or if this will cause the 2024 All-Star to miss playing time.
UPDATE (7:33 PM) Bryce Harper officially exited the game with a right-elbow contusion. His X-rays came back negative, which is a good sign.
Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
