SAN DIEGO — Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper has a broken left thumb after being hit by a 97 mph fastball from Blake Snell in the fourth inning Saturday night against the San Diego Padres.
The Phillies announced that the reigning National League MVP will be out indefinitely. He will undergo further evaluation in the next few days.
“I’ve never had a hand injury like this,” said Harper, who was wearing a splint on the injured thumb. “Never broken anything in my life. This is new to me, so I’m just gonna go day by day, see kind of where we’re at, and see the specialist in Philly. And if I do need to see another specialist somewhere, then I will.”
Harper checked his swing as the pitch from Snell rode inside and high before hitting him on the outside of the left hand. Harper immediately fell to the ground and was in visible pain as he held the hand while on his knees for several minutes with Phillies head trainer Paul Buchheit attending to him.
“I kind of wish it would’ve hit me in the face. I don’t break bones in my face,” Harper said with a laugh. “I can take 98 to the face, but I can’t take 97 to the thumb.”
Phillies general manager Dave Dombrowski, who traveled with the team on the road trip, said it was too early to determine if surgery will be needed. He added that he wasn’t sure what type of fracture Harper had or where on his left thumb the injury occurred.
Harper said he would see a medical specialist when he returns to Philadelphia.
“We will put him on the injured list [Sunday],” Dombrowski said. “I was concerned at first he got hit in the face. I was concerned right off the bat because he is a tough guy and he walked off the field immediately.”
As Harper was halfway to Philadelphia’s dugout, he angrily yelled at Snell and motioned with a hand at the Padres’ starting pitcher. Snell eventually shouted back at Harper. Many of the fans at Petco Park fans started to boo Harper after several seconds with Harper shouting at Snell.
Harper then…
Source : espn
