Bryce Harper Fractures Left Thumb on HBP Against Padres, Surgery Decision Pending
2 min read • June 26, 2022
Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper exited in the 4th inning with a fractured thumb after he was hit on the hand while trying to escape a high-and-inside pitch from Padres starter Blake Snell.
When a player suffers any finger fracture on a hit by pitch it is typically comminuted, meaning the bone is broken into multiple pieces rather than a single crack in two pieces, according to the Pro Baseball Docs.
Harper will reportedly see a specialist to determine whether he needs surgery to repair the fracture.
Surgery would not speed up the healing, it would just indicate a more complicated fracture.
Harper will miss at least six weeks, putting his return date around mid-to-late August if everything goes right, according to our team of Pro Baseball Docs.
Harper is hitting .320 with 15 home runs and 48 RBIs in 63 games this season.
He has served as the every day designated hitter since April 16, when he was revealed to have a partially torn UCL in his right arm.
The Phillies may move Nick Castellanos to DH and play Odubel Herrera more in right field, but it will undoubtedly be difficult to replace the 2021 MVP's production.
