Bryce Harper left Tuesday’s game against the Braves in the first inning, leaving Phillies fans holding their breath.
The Phillies star was hunched over in pain after he got hit on his right elbow by Braves starter Spencer Strider on an 0-1 pitch with two outs.
Harper underwent X-rays, which came back negative, and initial reports indicate he’s dealing with a right elbow contusion.
The pitch struck him directly on the elbow, even though Harper tried his best to dodge the 96.5 mph fastball, causing him to dart out of the batter’s box in agony.
Harper walked back to the on-deck circle before kneeling in pain as the crowd reacted to the hit by pitch.
A Phillies trainer came rushing out to check on Harper, and he was taken out of the game.
Harper appeared to still be in an immense amount of pain as he got up to walk into the Phillies’ dugout and down into the clubhouse.
Harper had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow after the 2022 World Series to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament.
Edmundo Sosa stepped into the game as a pinch-runner for Harper and was positioned at third base in the following inning, with Alex Bohm shifting to first base to fill the spot of the two-time MVP.
The Phillies scored their first run of the game an inning later when they took a 1-0 lead.
