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Right when Philly thought it got its captain back, Bryce Harper turned out to not be 100% after all.
Although Harper successfully returned Tuesday after missing five games with a right elbow injury, he's out of the Phillies' lineup again Friday night for when they take on the Pittsburgh Pirates.
According to manager Rob Thomson, it's due to some lingering soreness.
"It's his right wrist," Thomson said before Friday's game. "It's been sore for a while. He's been fighting through it. He's just been having trouble swinging, so if it’s affecting his swing, we're going to hold him off and get it right."
"Any time with feet and hand (injuries) scares me," Thomson added. "Whether they believe that or admit to it or not, I believe it."
Rob Thomson explains why Bryce Harper isn’t in the lineup tonight.
— On Pattison (@OnPattison) June 6, 2025
(Via @AntSanPhilly) pic.twitter.com/s6zz2655NM
It comes at a very unfortunate time, as the Phillies have lost six of their last seven games - including two of three with their franchise star back in the lineup.
That said, Thomson's concerns could be warranted. Harper went only 1-for-11 in Toronto, homering in his first at bat before striking out five times between games two and three.
For someone with such an aggressive swing, getting around on the ball fast is crucial, and it seemed that Bryce was unable to do that well this week.
Alec Bohm will slide back over to first base in Harper's absence, with Edmundo Sosa playing third.
Some good news is that catcher J.T. Realmuto is back in after taking a foul ball to the groin Wednesday. He has the task of managing a bullpen game while Philly attempts to stop their recent skid.
More must-reads:
- Surprising Marlins earn MLB first in sweep of Yankees
- Brewers place All-Star righty Jacob Misiorowski on 15-day injured list
- The '250-strikeout MLB seasons' quiz
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