Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Bryce Harper (3) reacts toward San Diego Padres starting pitcher Blake Snell (not pictured) after being hit by a pitch during the fourth inning at Petco Park. Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Phillies superstar Bryce Harper expected to miss at least six weeks with thumb injury

Reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper has battled injury after injury during the first half of the 2022 season. He missed time early in the year with a bothersome elbow and only recently returned to action after sitting out three contests due to an infected blister on his right hand.

Harper was then plunked on the left hand over the weekend by Blake Snell of the San Diego Padres, and on Sunday, the Phillies announced that the outfielder was placed on the 10-day injured list and would be out indefinitely. On Tuesday morning, fans in the City of Brotherly Love received more details of when they can perhaps expect the 29-year-old back on the diamond.

A six-time All-Star, Harper was almost certainly destined for an appearance in his seventh "Midsummer Classic" in July. Harper is currently slashing .318/.385/.599 with 15 home runs, 48 RBI, 21 doubles and nine stolen bases through 242 at-bats covering 64 games.

Philadelphia enters play Tuesday in third place in the NL East at 39-35. The Phils trail the first-place New York Mets by eight games and the second-place Atlanta Braves by three games.

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