Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper continues to be hampered with an early-season elbow injury. Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Two-time MVP Bryce Harper to miss fourth straight game with elbow injury

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 5/19/22

Reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper hasn't taken his customary spot in right field for the Philadelphia Phillies in over one month due to an elbow injury. Thanks to MLB instituting the universal DH for this season, the 29-year-old has still been able to contribute at the plate, recording nine home runs, 27 RBIs, 29 runs scored, 14 doubles and six stolen bases over 131 at-bats covering 34 games, while posting an impressive slash line of .305/.361/.634 (with his slugging percentage leading the NL).

Harper will sit out his fourth straight game on Thursday though, as he's nurses his UCL tear.

Normal recovery time, for soreness to subside after a PRP injection, ranges from 3 to 7 days.

Harper got his Sunday. So he's literally day to day at this point. https://t.co/gUZrHuAHD6
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) May 19, 2022

While he should be returning to the lineup soon, the former No. 1 overall draft pick won't be seeing the field anytime in the near future. It was reported on Wednesday that Harper won't be throwing for at least six weeks.

The Phillies (18-19) went 17-17 to start the season, as Harper played in 34 straight games to open the spring, before dropping two in a row and winning on Wednesday. Philadelphia is in second place in the NL East and trails the New York Mets (25-14) by six games.

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