The Philadelphia Phillies will have to continue the postseason chase without their best player. Phillies star outfielder Bryce Harper is set to have surgery on his left thumb and is expected to spend significant time on the sidelines as a result.
Harper suffered a thumb fracture after being hit by Blake Snell’s pitch in a 4-2 win over the San Diego Padres on Saturday. The reigning NL MVP is expected to make a full recovery, but the Phillies are not 100 percent sure whether he’ll be back by the end of the 2022 campaign.
“It’s tough, but it’s probably the best thing for him. So whatever’s best for him is best for me,” Phillies interim manager Rob Thomson told reporters. “If he’s able to come back, which we plan on, then that’s good under the circumstances.”
Harper has already been hampered by injuries this season, even before the thumb issue. This included UCL tear in his right elbow that only limited him to designated hitter duties since mid-April. But despite this, the 29-year-old has been having an impressive season. He has been hitting .318 throughout 64 games and has 15 homers and 48 RBIs to show for in 2022.
The Phillies are currently sitting third in NL East with a 39-35 record. They went 6-4 in their last 10 games.
