Bryce Harper was removed from Friday’s series opener against the Mets after taking a pitch off of his hand. Per an official team announcement, he was diagnosed with a right hand contusion; Matt Breen of the Philadelphia Inquirer says there’s been no word as to whether the team will have Harper undergo X-rays as well.
The incident occurred in the top of the third inning when Mets lefty Steven Matz fired a first-pitch, 92.9 sinker that ricocheted off of the top of Harper’s right hand. Harper immediately fell backward onto the dirt, where he remained hunched over for several seconds before receiving medical attention from the Phillies’ staff. Although he was eventually able to take first base, he did not come out for the top of the fourth inning and was replaced in right field by Sean Rodríguez.
It’s an unfortunate disruption to an otherwise perfectly healthy campaign for the 26-year-old, who entered Friday’s contest batting .255/.371/.498 with 30 home runs, 100 RBI, and an .869 OPS through 598 plate appearances. Should further tests find any structural damage, he’ll likely be headed for his first stint on the injured list since 2017.
