Getty Image
Not one, but two injuries have plagued Philadelphia Phillies superstar Bryce Harper in recent months as the team has struggled to maintain its red-hot pace from before the MLB All-Star Break.
Harper revealed the injuries to reporters prior to Friday’s pivotal game against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park.
“I don’t want to make excuses for what I do,” Harper said. “You know what I’m saying? I’ve just got to get through it. Hopefully, it gets better rather than getting worse. [The wrist’s] finally getting to the point where I feel like it’s turning a corner. My elbow is just like — there.”
Harper began the season looking every bit like a contender to win his third National League MVP award.
He entered July with 20 home runs, among the league leaders, and Philadelphia held as large as an 11-game lead on the Braves.
But over the last 42 games, Harper is slashing just .233/.311/.411 and Philadelphia is just 20-22 over that span. The Phillies lead over Atlanta was down to just five games entering a pivotal four-game series that began on Thursday.
Harper went 1-for-2 with a single and two walks in the series opener. Brandon Marsh and Nick Castellanos hit home runs to help Philadelphia come back from a 4-0 deficit to win 5-4.
“Sometimes you’ve got to play through crap. You know? All good,” Harper said of his injury status.