Philadelphia Phillies welcome back Bryce Harper on Friday, but Zack Wheeler lands in IL due to right forearm tendonitis
PHILADELPHIA – Facts Philadelphia Phillies would welcome back Bryce Harper on Friday, but when he gets there, they’ll play the trump card Zack Wheeler.
Wheeler was placed on the 15-day injury list on Thursday from right forearm tendonitis, with the team announcing the move hours after interim manager Rob Thomson told reporters that Harper will leave IL and compete on Friday.
Wheeler led the Phillies in wins (11) and ERA (3.07) but struggled in the late stages, allowing 10 runs for a total of 14 hits in previous consecutive losses New York Mets. The right-hander is expected to open the scoring in Friday’s match against Pittsburgh Pirates but the unruly Bailey Falter will now take his place.
Thursday’s news was clearly for the better for Harper, the reigning National League MVP, who was sidelined for about two months after his left thumb was broken from a pitch.
Thomson announced Harper is about to return from the injury list after consulting with the star.
“One, you get a great hitter,” Thomson said before the game against Cincinnati. “But he’s also healthy. That’s really important for us. To get another player in that squad would create a lot. [of difference] …everyone knows what a great assassin he is. “
Harper is 5-vs-8 with two home runs, two doubles and six RBIs in a two-game rehabilitation workout with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. His minor league stint was originally slated to last through the weekend but instead ended after RBI’s double-winning win in the ninth game on Wednesday night.
“It all depends on how he feels when he sees the pitches, his timing and how comfortable he is in the box,” said Thomson.
Harper took the day off Thursday to recover from some pain, but he will become the designated attacker when the Phillies host Pittsburgh.
“His body is just sore, so it’s like day five in spring training, which is understandable since he’s been out of action for two months,” Thomson said. speak. “We told him to take a day and come here to train. And we’ll activate him tomorrow.”
NL MVP twice hit .318 with 15 hosts and 48 RBI on a quick ball from San Diego’s Blake Snell June 25 broke his thumb. He will likely spend the rest of this season as Philadelphia’s designated attacker as a minor tear in the ulnar protective ligament in his right elbow has kept him out of the field on the right. since April.
Since Harper’s departure, Philadelphia has climbed to second place in the NL rankings. The Phillies took a 30-20 lead without him and had a team slip/fail ratio of 0.752 while averaging 4.5 runs per game over that period.
Harper is predicted to enter third place in a lineup surrounded by Kyle Schwarber, Rhys Hoskins, JT Realmuto and Nick Castellanos.
“It’s huge because [pitchers] always knew where he was,” said Thomson, “as did Schwarber. They know where that guy is all the time. So the people in front of them tend to get more hits and throw the ball better. Not all the time, but most of the time. “
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
