Harper (bruised triceps) expected to be OK after HBP
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DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Bryce Harper should be OK after a 92 mph fastball hit his right arm on Wednesday afternoon at TD Ballpark.
The Phillies said Harper¡¯s right triceps is bruised. No X-rays are scheduled.
The pitch knocked the helmet off Harper¡¯s head and the bat out of his hands. Once he settled himself, he picked up his bat and left the game with an athletic trainer. Harper returned to the clubhouse, changed out of uniform and drove himself back to BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater. He left without comment.
¡°Fine, I think,¡± Phillies manager Rob Thomson said after a 9-6 victory over the Blue Jays. ¡°The trainer¡¯s report -- we¡¯ll check him tomorrow -- but it¡¯s a contusion in the triceps area. We¡¯re not overly concerned at all.¡±
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Blue Jays left-hander Richard Lovelady threw a first-pitch inside fastball to Harper in the sixth inning that got to the backstop.
Six pitches later, he hit him.
¡°I can¡¯t speak for the kid, but maybe he was a little nervous,¡± Thomson said. ¡°It¡¯s Bryce Harper.¡±
Lovelady has made 108 big league appearances over five seasons with the Royals, A¡¯s, Cubs and Rays. He was visibly upset when he hit Harper.
Harper was upset, too. He has been hit in the upper body area a few times in recent years. Twice, it immediately or eventually landed him on the injured list.
Cardinals pitcher G¨¦nesis Cabrera hit Harper with a 96.9 mph fastball on the left forearm and face on April 28, 2021. The ball deflected off Harper¡¯s face, near his left eye and nose. Miraculously, he suffered no facial injuries or a concussion.
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He went on the IL about a month later with an injured left forearm. It took Harper a while to get comfortable in the batter¡¯s box again.
On June 25, 2022, Blake Snell broke Harper¡¯s left thumb with a pitch. It required surgery. He returned two months later.
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Moments like these are why Thomson holds his breath during every Grapefruit League game.
¡°Especially early in camp,¡± he said. ¡°Later in camp, starters are stretched out a little bit. You¡¯re getting into your normal bullpen guys. You don¡¯t have as many guys in camp. Guys are built up. ¡ It¡¯s Spring Training -- early Spring Training. Guys don¡¯t have their command. There¡¯s a bunch of guys hit today.¡±