{"id":1517311,"date":"2022-06-28T14:16:01","date_gmt":"2022-06-28T18:16:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports7.us\/?p=1517311"},"modified":"2022-06-28T14:16:01","modified_gmt":"2022-06-28T18:16:01","slug":"bryce-harper-injury-update-phillies-good-bad-news-nl-mvp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports7.us\/news\/bryce-harper-injury-update-phillies-good-bad-news-nl-mvp\/","title":{"rendered":"Bryce Harper Injury Update: Phillies Receive Both Good and Bad News About Reigning NL MVP"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Philadelphia Phillies<\/a> were just starting to find their stride after a disappointing start to the season. Since Joe Girardi's firing on June 3, the Phils rattled off 16 wins in 26 games to get back over .500 and put themselves right in the thick of the Wild Card race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then, disaster struck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the weekend, Bryce Harper<\/a> took a 97-mph fastball to the left thumb. He immediately left the game holding his hand as Philadelphia fans collectively saw the season flash before their eyes. On Tuesday, the Phillies received both good and bad news about Harper's injury and his chances of returning to the lineup this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bad news: Bryce Harper fractured his thumb and will need surgery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Bryce
Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after getting hit with a pitch during a game against the San Diego Padres | Denis Poroy\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It was a scary scene Saturday night when San Diego Padres starter Blake Snell lost control of a fastball that seemed destined to hit Harper in the head. Thankfully, the Phillies slugger got his face out of the way of the 97-mph pitch<\/a>, but he still couldn't escape disaster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fastball ended up nailing Harper square in the left thumb, and the reigning NL MVP fell to the ground in pain. He eventually walked off the field, visibly upset, and didn't return to the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I kind of wish it hit me in the face,” Harper said after the game,\u00a0via The Associated Press<\/a>. “I don\u2019t break bones in my face. I think I can take 98 to the face, but not 97 to the thumb. Yeah, I was kind of in protection mode a little bit trying to get my hand up there and not let it hit me again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It\u2019s just a bummer. I am really bummed out.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Harper had to be even more bummed out when he learned that he fractured his left thumb and will require surgery to repair the injury. It's a surgery that could knock Harper out for the entire year, but it sounds as if Harper avoided a season-ender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The good news: Bryce Harper could return to the Phillies in six weeks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Bryce Harper will require surgery to stabilize break. There is optimism he will play again this season after recovery of six weeks, give or take.<\/p>— Jim Salisbury (@JimSalisbury215) June 28, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote>