Philadelphia Phillies All-Star Bryce Harper left Wednesday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays after being hit in his left elbow with a pitch.
The incident occurred in the first inning, with Philadelphia leading 1-0. Blue Jays starter Bowden Francis threw a 93 mph fastball in the infield that hit Harper in his left elbow. Harper immediately dropped his bat and grabbed his elbow in pain.
Harper stayed in the game to take first base, but did not return to the plate. Edmundo Sosa came in as a pinch hitter for Harper in the third inning.
He The Phillies radio broadcast was announced later Harper suffered a bruised elbow, the club said. Details of Harper’s injury and his prognosis were not immediately clear.
Harper, an eight-time All-Star and two-time NL MVP, was sidelined for parts of the 2022 and 2023 seasons following Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. He has returned to All-Star form since the procedure and entered Wednesday’s game batting .282/.371/.521 with 26 homers and 76 RBIs in 122 games.
The Phillies entered Wednesday’s game with an 82-56 record and a seven-game lead over the Atlanta Braves atop the NL East. Harper, of course, is key to Philadelphia’s hopes of competing for a World Series in the fall.