Harper set for thumb surgery, Phils hope he plays this year

1 / 4

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper, right, reacts towards San Diego Padres' Blake Snell after being hit by a pitch from Snell, as he walks off the field with a trainer during the fourth inning of a baseball game Saturday, June 25, 2022, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Derrick Tuskan)

PHILADELPHIA ā€“ Phillies slugger Bryce Harper will have surgery Wednesday to repair his broken left thumb and the team hopes the 2021 NL MVP can play again this season.

Manager Rob Thomson did not offer a timetable for Harperā€™s return.

Recommended Videos



ā€œItā€™s tough, but itā€™s probably the best thing for him. So whateverā€™s best for him is best for me,ā€ Thomson said Tuesday. ā€œIf heā€™s able to come back, which we plan on, then thatā€™s good under the circumstances.ā€

Harperā€™s thumb was broken when he was hit by a 97 mph pitch from San Diego Padres left-hander Blake Snell on Saturday night.

The 29-year-old Harper is hitting .318 with 15 home runs, 48 RBIs and a .985 OPS, and has helped the Phillies recently surge back into playoff contention.

The Phillies opened a three-game series Tuesday night against Atlanta.

ā€œIā€™ve got to be positive for the guys in here. I know theyā€™ll pick up the slack. Iā€™m just really bummed for the organization, the guys, the city of Philadelphia, the fans. I love running out there and playing every day. Definitely bummed,ā€ Harper said after the injury.

Harper checked his swing as the pitch rode inside and high toward his shoulder before hitting him on the outside of the left hand in the fourth inning. He fell to the ground and was in pain as he held his hand while on his knees for several minutes.

ā€œI think this is probably whatā€™s best for him although itā€™s a broken bone and thatā€™s bad; heā€™s not happy about that, not being able to play because he wants to play, ā€œThomson said. ā€œBut heā€™s looking forward to getting back (near) the end of the year.ā€

The Atlanta Braves faced a similar situation last season when Ronald AcuƱa Jr. tore the ACL in his right knee last July 10 and was lost for the season. AcuƱa was batting .283 with 24 homers and 52 RBIs in 82 games and was an MVP candidate when he went down.

But the Braves went on to win the World Series without their star outfielder.

ā€œHow I view it is when somebody goes down like that itā€™s an opportunity for somebody else to step in and do something really good,ā€ Braves manager Brian Snitker said prior to the game at Philadelphia. ā€œIt never fazed our guys one bit all year. These guys keep playing, they keep preparing, they keep doing what they do.ā€

Snitker expects something similar from the Phillies.

ā€œThereā€™s still a lot of thunder in that lineup,ā€ he said.

___

More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


Loading...

Recommended Videos