After being hit in the right hand with a Steven Matz pitch on Friday, Bryce Harper sat out the Phillies’ 5-0 win over the Mets today and could also miss Sunday’s game. X-rays were negative on the injury and Harper told the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Matt Breen and other reporters that he would “be fine,” though he was frustrating at having to miss any time at all during the pennant race. “Really tough to take a day [off], but I need to do what I need to do,” Harper off. The Phils’ victory moved them three games behind the Cubs for the last NL wild card berth, and in the midst of such a tight race, certainly can’t afford to miss one of their top players.
While Harper hasn’t quite posted the type of superstar-level numbers you might expect after signing his much-ballyhooed 13-year, $330MM contract last offseason, he has been a thoroughly productive player in his first Phillies season, hitting .254/.372/.497 with 30 homers over an even 600 plate appearances while also contributing strong defense.
More on some key players who may or may not be close to returning to action…
- George Springer also didn’t factor into today’s play, though Astros manager A.J. Hinch told reporters (including the Houston Chronicle’s Chandler Rome) that the outfielder was available off the bench in Houston’s 2-1 win over Seattle, and would hopefully be back in the lineup on Sunday. Springer suffered a minor concussion after an ugly-looking collision with the outfielder wall on Tuesday, which resulted in the Astros star being carted off the field. Fortunately, the injury was less serious than it appeared, and Springer is set to resume what has been another All-Star season.
- Kurt Suzuki will see a doctor after suffering a potential right elbow injury in tonight’s game, Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post tweets. The Nationals catcher felt pain after making a throw to second base in the seventh inning, and was replaced by a pinch-hitter in the top of the eighth. Suzuki has hit .260/.319/.473 with 16 homers over 301 plate appearances in his first season as a National, splitting time with (and providing much more offense than) Yan Gomes. Rookie backstop Raudy Read is the only other catcher on Washington’s 40-man roster if Suzuki has to miss any time.
- Athletics outfielder Stephen Piscotty told Ron Kroichick of the San Francisco Chronicle that he is close to beginning pool therapy on his injured right ankle, and will then further test the injury before determining any next steps. Piscotty believes he can return before the end of the season, which is perhaps not as positive a development as it seems since there hadn’t really been any thought that Piscotty’s high ankle sprain could cost him the remainder of the 2019 campaign. After hitting the IL on August 25, the outfielder is still wearing a walking boot.
Relative to other players offensive production in the NL this season Harper is not even top 10. And quite honestly he is barely above average defensively. In short he’s not close to earning his inflated paycheck and Philly fans should rightly be extremely disappointed. He’s not leading them to the promised land this year….
In fairness, the Phillies inability to pitch is the real reason they aren’t in the playoffs. Even though Bryce hasn’t put up MVP numbers, he’s had a strong season and is far from the reason the Phillies aren’t in the playoffs.
This is it exactly. Harper has been fine. He’s been great with RISP, and he’s done enough. If the pitching was anywhere like it was last year, Phills would be in 1st in the WC (idk if they could pass the braves)
I like to tell myself it’s because there is like a full bullpen on the dl, but I know the starting pitching would still blow a ton of games all on their own.
Imagine where they could be with a replacement level outfielder and 20m invested into pitching
The point is Harper hasn’t played at a level that would justify his contract, and given his steady decline, it’s doubtful he ever will. However, as long as the club and fanbase find his contribution acceptable, the point is moot.
Considering it’s his 1st year with the club, he’s posted pretty good numbers, and is amongst league leaders in clutch hits, and runs better in with RISP. Is there another category that is more important? Not that I see, amongst league leaders in walks and OBP. His glove is up there for Right fielders, and up in the tops with outfield assists. After McCutch went down this offense has been a shell of its first month and a half. They lost a table setter, and Segura, Hoskins, and Harper have been slumping since then. All season for the most part. Now, think about the bullpen, and starting pitching. Only pen arm is Nerris, from 8 arms. 1 original.. Injuries are why this team struggled. Take 7 bullpen arms and 2 starters from ANY TEAM, I’ll be surprised if they are even a .500 ballclub.
So what’s the leader board look like for “clutch” hits? Lmao just making up stuff.
Typos, typos. My guess is WAS claims Beau Taylor or Taylor Davis.
I’d take 30-100 for the length of his contract. Need his batting avg to go up a few ticks, need more walks, better baserunning. Other than that it fits 25M per year.
Phils will never really compete the way Kapler handles his bullpen. He routinely uses 4-5 relievers every single game regardless of the score. The starting pitching after Nola is near the worst in baseball and the offense is still all or nothing, which actually surprises me with the three new big name players they brought in.
Bottom line is, they need 4 starters, three dependable bullpen arms, better adjustments in the batter’s box and a manager who won’t break wear out the staff by June.
The good relievers are on the IL tho