Bryce Harper was visibly in pain last night in Toronto, the Phillies should put him on the 10-Day IL immediately

I’m not going to hit the panic button quite yet, but Bryce Harper’s injury situation is definitely something to monitor over the final 24 games of the regular season.

Bryce Harper winced in his final at-bat in Toronto last night after striking out in the ninth inning. I’m on the search for video of the at-bat but if you were watching the game, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

WATCH: Kyle Schwarber crushes 3 home runs, guides Phillies to comeback 10-9 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays >>

Bryce Harper wincing after at-bat in the 9th inning

Bryce Harper winced after taking a swing in the ninth inning last night. Rob Thomson said Harper “kind of tweaked his elbow. He said he’s fine.” Harper stayed in the game.

Nick Castellanos left the game after getting hitting hit in his left leg. He said he was OK.

— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) September 4, 2024

Rob Thomson spoke to reporters following the game, saying that Bryce Harper “kind of tweaked his elbow” and after speaking to his first baseman, he was told that it was “fine.”

Yeah, I bet. 

While Harper is contributing from the plate, he literally has no power in his swing. His at-bat in the ninth inning was a clear indicator that he’s dealing with pain whether that’d be in his wrist or elbow, and the Phillies main focus should be ensuring that Bryce Harper is as healthy as possible entering October. 

Harper hasn’t hit a home run since August 9th against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He hit a total of two home runs in the month of August with just 9 RBI. 

Trust me, even an injured Bryce Harper is good. Over his last 30 games, he’s hit .294 but the power just isn’t there. Two home runs over 119 at-bats (30 Games) is a clear indicator that our guy is hurt out there.

With the rosters expanded, I honestly have no idea why Rob Thomson and the Phillies won’t give Harper some time off. I’m sure Bryce doesn’t want it, but what’s the cost of having him play against the Blue Jays today, the Marlins on the road, and then home against the New York Mets and Tampa Bay Rays? 

Phillies Remaining Schedule:

• Philadelphia Phillies at Toronto Blue Jays (1 Game) 
• Philadelphia Phillies at Miami Marlins (3 Games) 
• Tampa Bay Rays at Philadelphia Phillies (3 Games) 
• New York Mets at Philadelphia Phillies (3 Games) 
• Philadelphia Phillies at Milwaukee Brewers (3 Games) 
• Philadelphia Phillies at New York Mets (3 Games)
• Chicago Cubs at Philadelphia Phillies (3 Games) 
• Philadelphia Phillies at Washington Nationals (3 Games) 

Now is NOT the time for Bryce Harper to play “hero ball”. As far as I’m concerned, the only series over the next two weeks worth a damn is against the Milwaukee Brewers, beginning on September 16th. 

With the win last night, the Phillies improved to 82-56 on the season. They are 8-2 over their last 10 games and have maintained a seven game lead over the Atlanta Braves in the NL East standings with 24 games remaining. 

The Phillies trail the Los Angeles Dodgers by 1.5 games in the National League and also for the best record in Major League Baseball. More importantly, they extended their lead over the third place Milwaukee Brewers in 1.5 games in the division standings – holding onto that second seed for the postseason. 

The only reason to not put him on the 10-Day IL is if his injury is more severe and can’t be healed in that timeframe. 

Alec Bohm – Expected Return on Thursday 

Alec Bohm has been dealing with a sore left hand that according to reports, isn’t progressing as quickly as the Phillies had hoped. He’s been out of the lineup for five-straight games and isn’t expected to return until at some point in the series against the Miami Marlins this weekend. 

Phillies Need a 40-Man Roster Re-Tool 

The best idea would be to put Harper on the 10-Day IL and ensure he gets some rest leading up to the Brewers series on the 16th. Kody Clemens can play first base with Edmundo Sosa covering duties at third until Bohmer is ready to return.

Clemens on first against RHP. Bohm at first with Sosa at third against LHP. Easy-peasy. 

They also need to get rid of Tyler Phillips. I know they won’t at this point, but the best option in the minors would be to get Rodolfo Castro off the 40-man and add Scott Kingery – then promote him while they have expanded rosters and players dealing with injuries. 

Unfortunately, the Scott Kingery days appear to be over and no one can explain why. He’s batting .272 with 23 home runs, 64 RBI, and 23 stolen bases in Lehigh Valley and clearly, the best suitable option to spot-start across multiple positions at the major league level for the Phillies. 

Kingery hit .206 with a .815 OPS to go along with four doubles, two triples, 12 RBI and two home runs in the month of August. That followed a July month in which he hit .325 with a .983 OPS, including seven homers, 15 RBI, a pair of doubles and a triple.

He’s clearly the best and really, only option in the minors and again, no one can tell me why he’s not getting a look outside of the Phillies’ organization 

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