Bryce Harper was out of the Phillies' starting lineup for a fourth straight game Tuesday as they opened a quick two-game series in Texas.
Harper is dealing with a blister on his left hand that became infected and has kept him from swinging.
"We're trying to wait it out and see how much better it can be in the next few days," he said Sunday. "It's an infection. Whatever you think an infection to be, that's where I'm at right now, so it's not good."
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Alec Bohm served as the designated hitter, which has been Harper's spot since the second week of the season because of a lingering injury in Harper's forearm/elbow.
Tuesday's game was the Phillies' 69th of the season and the 10th Harper did not start. Banged up as he's been for the second straight year, he's continued to perform at an MVP-level at the plate.
Over his last 32 games (142 plate appearances), Harper has hit .402/.472/.730 with 13 doubles, nine homers, 29 RBI and more walks than strikeouts.
He's been even better than that in June.
MLB
The Phillies have gone 4-5 in the games Harper has not started this season. Here was their lineup for Game 1 against Rangers southpaw Martín Perez, who is having a career year to this point with a 2.10 ERA:
1. Kyle Schwarber, LF
2. Rhys Hoskins, 1B
3. Nick Castellanos, RF
4. J.T. Realmuto, C
5. Didi Gregorius, SS
6. Alec Bohm, DH
7. Matt Vierling, CF
8. Johan Camargo, 3B
9. Yairo Munoz, 2B
Kyle Gibson, SP
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