Bryce (shoulder), Realmuto (wrist) day to day
This browser does not support the video element.
Bryce Harper was removed during Saturday night’s 4-0 loss due to right shoulder soreness and is considered day to day, the Phillies announced. He was lifted for defensive replacement Scott Kingery in the bottom of the fourth inning against the Blue Jays.
Phillies manager Joe Girardi acknowledged that Harper had noticed something during a swing. Girardi also said it’s the first time Harper has mentioned this type of shoulder issue in the two years Girardi has been with the team.
“He came to us, which was smart,” Girardi said. “You don’t want to make it worse. We got him out and hopefully it’s just day to day.”
This browser does not support the video element.
Harper, who’s third in the Majors in on-base percentage (.443), struck out in his first two at-bats after reaching safely in all five plate appearances in Friday’s series opener. He missed a handful of games earlier this month, due to both getting hit in the face by a pitch and hurting his wrist while running the bases.
In 32 games, Harper has posted a .313/.443/.571 slash line with seven home runs. His 1.013 OPS exceeds all other Phillies by over 100 points.
Right behind him is J.T. Realmuto (.886 OPS), who also left Saturday’s game early. He was pulled in the eighth for what Girardi later noted was an issue with his left wrist. Realmuto feels it most when he swings and misses, Girardi said.
“He’s day to day, too,” Girardi said. “I’m not sure about tomorrow for either one of them. Sleep, and we’ll see what we have.”
Harper and Realmuto join Phillies shortstop Didi Gregorius (right elbow soreness) as players who are currently day to day. There was a moment of worry for outfielder Andrew McCutchen on Saturday, too, when he appeared to tweak his lower back in the seventh inning while dodging a pitch. McCutchen spoke to Girardi and a trainer, and ultimately he stayed in the game.
“His left hip flexor kind of locked up, but he said he was fine after a couple pitches,” Girardi said of McCutchen.
Even so, the Phillies’ prospective bench looks awfully thin for Sunday’s matinee against Toronto. When asked how the team planned to fill a lineup, Girardi said, “It’s a good question. I’m sure we’re gonna have to figure something out after this discussion.”