Phillies’ Harper on IL with broken thumb
Reigning National League MVP Bryce Harper was placed on the 10day injured list Sunday with a broken left thumb and the Philadelphia Phillies haven’t yet announced a timeline for his return.
Harper’s thumb was broken when he was hit by a 97 mph pitch from San Diego Padres left-hander Blake Snell on Saturday night.
Harper will see a specialist after the team returns to Philadelphia. Beyond that there is no timetable for his return, manager Rob Thomson said before the Phillies and Padres played the finale of a four-game series.
The 29-year-old Harper is hitting .318 with 15 home runs, 48 RBIs and a .985 OPS, and has helped the Phillies recently surge back into playoff contention.
Harper was not available Sunday but said after Saturday night’s game that it’s “just a bummer. I am really bummed out.”
Harper checked his swing as the pitch rode inside and high toward his shoulder before hitting him on the outside of the left hand in the fourth
The Phillies’ Bryce Harper is hit on the left hand by a pitch from Blake Snell of the Padres on Saturday night.
inning. He fell to the ground and was in pain as he held his hand while on his knees for several minutes.
Cardinals’ Flaherty exits with shoulder stiffness
The St. Louis Cardinals removed starter Jack Flaherty in the third inning of Sunday’s game against the visiting Chicago Cubs due to right shoulder stiffness.
The 26-year-old right-hander was making his third start of the season since coming off the 60-day injured list. He missed the first 2½ months of the season with shoulder bursitis.
Flaherty allowed one hit in two scoreless innings with two walks and two strikeouts. He threw 49 pitches.
He has no decisions and a 5.63 ERA through eight innings this season, the 2014 first-round pick’s sixth season with St. Louis.
Giants shortstop Crawford out with knee inflammation
The San Francisco Giants placed veteran shortstop Brandon Crawford on the 10-day injured list with left knee inflammation.
Crawford has been dealing with nagging injuries all season, with multiple reports indicating that manager Gabe Kapler does not expect the veteran’s time away to last longer than the required 10 days.
Crawford is batting .224 with five home runs and 30 RBIs in 63 games this season. Last year he had career highs in batting average (.298), homers (24) and RBIs (90).