(PHYLADELPHIA) Philadelphia Phillies hitter Bryce Harper missed his fourth straight game Thursday while still recovering from a platelet injection in his right elbow.
Harper had previously said he would like to play at least one of three games against the San Diego Padres. However, he still feels pain from the injection on Sunday and did not start against the Padres.
Coach Joe Girardi said he would keep “fingers crossed” that Harper can play Friday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The National League MVP received an injection after sustaining a slight tear in the ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow with which he shoots the ball. As a result, the Phillies assigned him to the role of hitter. He hasn’t played in right field since April 16 and will continue to be the hitter of choice when he returns to the game, plus he won’t stint for at least six weeks.
Harper, 29, is hitting .305 with nine home runs, 14 doubles and 27 RBIs. It also has a power coefficient of 0.634.
