Phillies

Bryce Harper Injury: Phils’ Harper is Day-to-Day with Back Spasms

Mike Lipinski Sports Editor

Published11 Aug 2023

Disclosure

We sometimes use affiliate links in our content, when clicking on those we might receive a commission – at no extra cost to you. By using this website you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy.

Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter/first baseman Bryce Harper left Thursday’s 6-2 win over the Washington Nationals due to mid-back spasms, according to Phils’ manager Rob Thomson. The former two-time NL MVP is listed as day-to-day and potential injured list trip is unknown. He will not be in the Phils’ lineup on Friday in the series opener against Minnesota.

The timing of Harper’s latest ailment couldn’t come at a worse time. Harper, who missed the first month of the season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, had recently found his power stroke again. Over the past two weeks, Harper has hit four home runs, eight doubles, with 14 RBIs, and an .836 OPS. In short, he was once again looking like the player that could change a game with one swing of the bat.

Bryce Harper Splits


Split	G	GS	PA	AB	R	H	2B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	TB	GDP	HBP	SF	IBB	ROE	BAbip	tOPS+	sOPS+
2023 Totals	83	82	360	311	50	91	21	7	38	7	2	45	85	.293	.381	.428	.808	133	8	1	3	4	0	.378	100	123
Last 7 days	7	7	28	25	5	7	3	2	6	0	0	2	8	.280	.321	.640	.961	16	1	0	1	0	0	.313	134	152
Last 14 days	14	14	62	54	8	15	5	2	8	0	0	7	21	.278	.355	.482	.836	26	2	0	1	0	0	.406	106	126
Last 28 days	27	26	114	101	17	30	7	4	15	2	0	12	30	.297	.368	.485	.854	49	3	0	1	0	0	.382	110	130
Last 365 days	118	117	511	439	64	120	28	10	55	9	4	65	120	.273	.364	.406	.770	178	12	1	6	9	2	.349	90

While it wasn’t announced, you have to wonder if Harper’s back issues are related to playing the field on a more regular basis. Harper began playing the field on July 21, he’s played a total of 12-games in the field since then. The Phillies have held Harper out of a handful of games during that time for “rest.”

Harper has said he “feels better than yesterday (Thursday)” but didn’t seem like he would be able to pinch hit on Friday, according to Phillies’ beat writer Tim Kelly. Now we wait as the club, and fanbase, hold their collective breath on any news related to the back of the 30-year-old franchise player.