Bryce Harper has a fractured left thumb after being hit by a pitch in the fourth inning against the Padres on Saturday night. The former MVP will undergo another evaluation in the coming days, but it's possible he'll miss a sizeable chunk of the remainder of the season.
"I've never had a hand injury like this," Harper told reporters after the game. "Never broken anything in my life. This is new to me, so I'm just gonna go day by day, see kind of where we're at and see the specialist in Philly. And if I do need to see another specialist somewhere, then I will."
Harper had checked his swing on a Blake Snell 97-mph fastball that rode up and in. Once hit, Harper fell to the ground in obvious pain and remained there for several minutes.
"I kind of wish it would've hit me in the face. I don't break bones in my face," Harper said with a chuckle. "I can take 98 to the face, but I can't take 97 to the thumb. Yeah, I was kind of in protection mode a little bit trying to get my hand up there and not let it hit me again."
Phillies general manager Dave Dombrowski was at the game and was immediately concerned for Harper. Now, he has to devise a plan to replace one of the best players in baseball if the Phillies hope to compete for a playoff berth.
"We will put him on the injured list [Sunday]," Dombrowski told reporters. "I was concerned at first he got hit in the face. I was concerned right off the bat because he is a tough guy and he walked off the field immediately.
Mickey Moniak will take Harper's spot on the active roster.
