Phillies news and rumors 7/9: The latest on Bryce Harper; Ryan Howard shines in celebrity softball game

Bryce Harper is expected to be OK after getting hit in his surgically-repaired right elbow in Saturday’s game against the Miami Marlins.

Rob Thomson told reporters in Miami that X-rays were negative on Harper, who was replaced in the game by pinch hitter Bryson Stott in the fifth inning. In his second plate appearance of the game, Harper was plunked in the elbow with a 90 mph sinker. He is less than eight months removed from undergoing Tommy John surgery on that elbow.

“It definitely could have been worse,” Harper told reporters, including MLB.com‘s Todd Zolecki.

He could play in Sunday’s game, but it’s possible Harper sits as a precaution. The Phillies are facing left-hander Jesús Luzardo, who has an insane .498 OPS against left-handed hitters this season. Expect the Phillies to stack the lineup with righties.

When talking with reporters, Harper provided some insight on his timeline to play first base in major league games. It’s going to happen after the All-Star break, but don’t expect to see a “3” next to his name when lineups are revealed for Friday’s game against the Padres.

“When I get back from the break, I know we’re going to do some more tags or cut stuff,” Harper said. “I’m not sure after that what their next plan is. I haven’t really talked to anybody about it, just trying to get the work done I need to. I think when we all feel comfortable, including Bobby [Dickerson] and [Rob Thomson], we’ll have that conversation about when I’ll start playing.”

When Harper underwent surgery back in November, the expectation was that he would be back as a designated hitter “by the All-Star break.” He beat that timeline by two months and while he has struggled relative to his own standards, Harper still has an OPS+ of 114, meaning he’s been 14% better than league average.

Update 10:40 a.m. ET: Harper is out of the lineup for Sunday’s series finale against the Marlins

Ryan Howard dominates celebrity softball game

Ryan Howard was a cheat code for the Phillies from 2006 to 2011, hitting 262 home runs and driving in 796 runs in a six-year span.

The Phillies slugger was invited to participate in this year’s celebrity softball game in Seattle as part of All-Star weekend and of course, he hit a tank.

Howard hit two home runs for Team [Jennie] Finch in a 21-19 loss to Team Felix [Hernández]. JoJo Siwa was his battery mate when he came in to pitch. Yes, you read that right.

Must-read (or watch) Phillies content

• Here’s a really positive Andrew Painter update.
• In case you missed it, Dirty Craig is heading to his ninth All-Star Game.
• Alex Coffey of the Philadelphia Inquirer wrote about Brandon Marsh getting reacclimated with playing left field.
• Todd Zolecki and Matt Gelb both wrote great stories on Harper after Saturday’s scare.
• If you don’t mind crying, read this beautiful story on top MLB draft prospect Dylan Crew’s bond with a young fan who has non-verbal autism.
• Mick Abel threw a scoreless inning in the All-Star Futures Game on Saturday. Justin Crawford went 0-for-2 with an RBI. After the game, Abel said “screw it,” when asked to eat a grasshopper.

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