Bryce Harper ‘not making excuses’ as he battles through wrist/elbow injury

Drew Smith
August 31, 2024
Phillies
0 Comments

Ahead of Friday’s 7-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves, Bryce Harper told reporters that he’s been grinding through an elbow/wrist injury but made it clear that he wasn’t going to use it as an excuse for his lackluster play over the past month.

Harper has been wearing a protective black sleeve on his right arm since last Monday, when the Phillies beat the Houston Astros 3-2 at Citizens Bank Park.

Yes, that is the same arm where Harper had Tommy John surgery following the 2022 World Series, but Harper was adamant that his recent “discomfort” isn’t related.

Bryce Harper hasn’t hit a home run since since August 9th – a drought that has now spanned over his last 77 at-bats.

Bryce Harper on Wrist/Elbow Injury:

“I don’t want to make excuses for what I do. You know what I’m saying? I’ve just got to get through it. Hopefully it gets better, rather than getting worse. [The wrist’s] finally getting to the point where I feel like it’s turning a corner. My elbow is just, like, there.” [MLB]

Listen, it is what it is. Harper did go 3-for-4 with two doubles on Friday so clearly, it’s not bothering him to the point where he needs hit the injured list.

Plus, it sounds like Harper is making excuses while telling the media that he’s not making excuses, right?

I’m not going to crush him for it. Everyone needs a little edge and Harper is the absolute KING at pandering to a Philadelphia fanbase that loves to see some grit, with players leaving it all out on the field.

Still, the revelation is concerning.

Bryce Harper has hit just .243 with five home runs and 15 RBI to go along with a .724 OPS since the All-Star break (38 games). Before the break, Harper hit .301 with 21 homers, 61 RBIs and a .982 OPS over 81 games.

The Phillies will send Zack Wheeler (12-6, 2.74 ERA) to the mound for game three of four against the Braves tonight at The Bank. Atlanta will counter with Max Fried (8-7, 3.50).

With last night’s loss, the Phillies dropped back to just a five game lead over the Atlanta Braves in the National League East standings. Needless to say, Wheeler needs right the ship for the Phillies, who continue to watch their division lead shrink.