May 27, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first base Bryce Harper (3) is hit by a pitch during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Bryce Harper is feeling better after getting plunked by a Spencer Strider fastball on Tuesday. But not good enough to play Game 1 of a doubleheader on Thursday.
Harper was hit by a 95 mph fastball from Braves pitcher Spencer Strider during the first inning of Tuesday night’s game. X-rays were negative, and the team confirmed no fracture, but swelling and pain have him sidelined for at least one more game.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson wouldn't say one way or the other if Harper will play in Game 2 on Thursday night, but did have a somewhat optimistic update on Harper's health.
Rob Thomson explains why Bryce Harper is not in the lineup for Game 1 of Phillies-Braves. He says Harper is making progress.@KYWNewsradio pic.twitter.com/uS1uMr5D1K
“I’m not sure (if he'll be available in Game 2), but he’s doing better," Thomson said. "He came in yesterday for treatment. He’s in there now. I believe he still had swelling and was still in pain, but it’s a lot better than we expected, so it’s making progress."
So, if it's possible he plays in Game 2, is it also possible he pinch hits in Game 1, if needed?
“He hasn’t swung the bat yet," Thomson said. "I wouldn’t put him in a game until he’s comfortable swinging a bat.”
So, that sounds like a no. It also sounds like Harper may try to take swings at some point this afternoon - likely in the indoor batting cage - and based on how he feels after that, a decision will be made on his availability for anything on Thursday.
Thomson did add that Harper had no additional testing on the elbow aside from the original X-rays. He also said he hopes Harper will wear an elbow guard once he does return to action.
“I think it’s a little uncomfortable for him," Thomson said. "I think he feels like it restricts him a little bit. But, I hope he wears it.”
In Harper’s absence, Alec Bohm has shifted to first base, with Edmundo Sosa starting at third.
Thomson also addressed the furor that dominated sports talk in town for the last two days - should the Phillies have retaliated for Harper getting hit?
Quite simply, no.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson explains why they didn’t retaliate against the Braves Tuesday night after Bryce Harper was hit by Spencer Strider’s fastball. @KYWNewsradio pic.twitter.com/wdZquFBjzV
"Because it's not on purpose, simple as that," Thomson said. "If I think somebody's throwing at one of our hitters, I don't know what I'd do, but if it's a pitch that gets away from a pitcher, which I believe it was and I think everybody in our clubhouse thinks it was, that's baseball. It happens."
It should be noted that Harper was hit twice last weekend when the Phillies were playing the Athletics and nobody was calling for retaliation then.
But, because it's the rival Braves, and more specifically, it's a pitcher in Spencer Strider who has become a favorite villain of Phillies fans, it blew up the way it did.
Flash back to last season when Tampa Bay reliever Edwin Uceta intentionally hit Nick Castellanos after the Phillies lit him up in a game.
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Edwin Uceta has been suspended for three games for throwing at Nick Castellanos in last night’s game. Rays manager Kevin Cash has also been suspended for one game. #RingTheBell
pic.twitter.com/h2vPeFYDFF
There was a full reaction from the team in that moment. Nobody reacted in that way when Strider hit Harper, which tells you all you need to know about how the players and team felt about Strider having a pitch get away from him against Harper.
