Phillies' Harper to DH only due to elbow tear

Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper has a small tear in his right elbow and won’t throw for four weeks, but the reigning NL MVP will stay in the lineup as Philadelphia’s designated hitter.

Harper will receive a platelet-rich plasma injection Sunday and won’t play that day, manager Joe Girardi said before Thursday night’s game at Dodger Stadium.

Harper was hitting .269 with six home runs, 19 RBIs and an .847 OPS going into the series opener against the Dodgers. He won his second NL MVP award last season.

The 29-year-old star has spent most of his time at DH this year because of his elbow trouble. Of his 31 games, he’s played in his usual right field spot just eight times.

The small tear in Harper’s ulnar collateral ligament was revealed during a visit with Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles

earlier in the day.

“What we saw today confirmed probably a new small tear,” Girardi said. “Harp will be no throwing for four weeks. He’ll have a PRP injection on Sunday and we’ll go from there.”

NO NEW VIRUS CASES FOR GUARDIANS » The Cleveland Guardians reported no new COVID-19 cases, a day after an outbreak inside their clubhouse caused a postponement in Chicago and sent manager Terry Francona and five coaches home from a trip.

The team said pitching coach Carl Willis will serve as the club’s acting manager for a three-game series this weekend in Minnesota. Willis pitched for the Twins from 1991-95.

Cleveland was off on Thursday.

Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said in a statement that the team will continue to test personnel and conduct contact tracing.