Phillies' Rob Thomson Announces Bryce Harper News Before Pirates Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | Last updated Jun 6, 2025 5:46 PM ET

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper is in his 14th MLB season after being selected No. 1 overall in the 2010 MLB Draft. Spending the first seven years of his career with the Washington Nationals, Harper is now in his seventh season with the Phillies.

Originally an outfielder, Harper has made the transition to first base, playing the position primarily for the last few seasons. While his numbers are a bit down this season, Harper still rates as one of the best offensive players in the National League.

Entering Friday, the left-handed slugger owns an .814 OPS with nine home runs.

As the Phillies begin a series with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday, Harper was notably absent from the starting lineup. Batting third and playing first base in Philadelphia's 9-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday, Harper went 0-for-4.

Amid Harper's absence from Friday's lineup, Phillies manager Rob Thomson announced an update.

"Bryce Harper is out tonight due to a lingering wrist issue that he’s been playing through for awhile, per Rob Thomson," Paul Casella of MLB wrote on X. "Went to the trainers today and said it was bothering him a bit more. Thomson believes it’s a day-to-day situation."

Bryce Harper is out tonight due to a lingering wrist issue that he’s been playing through for awhile, per Rob Thomson.

Went to the trainers today and said it was bothering him a bit more. Thomson believes it’s a day-to-day situation.
— Paul Casella (@Paul_CasellaMLB) June 6, 2025

Any right wrist/hand issues will be especially troubling for a left-handed hitter like Harper. Also a right-handed thrower, Harper's defense could be impacted by this issue as well.

Fortunately it seems as if this ailment is not expected to sideline Harper longterm, as Thomson announced the current timetable is day-to-day.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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