Categories: Injuries

Phillies have avoided worst-case scenario with Harper, Schwarber

Bryce Harper is going on the 10-day injured list. (Grace Del Pizzo/PhilliesNation)

The Phillies have placed both Bryce Harper (left hamstring strain) and Kyle Schwarber (left groin strain) on the 10-day injured list, the team announced Friday.

Both players are not expected to miss a significant period of time. Harper, who suffered a hamstring strain while running to first base in the ninth inning on Thursday night, said his hamstring is still sore. He is frustrated about going on the injured list, but said going on the IL, “was the best decision for us and our team.”

“Hopefully, get back the smartest way possible, quickest way as well,” Harper said.

“We’re very fortunate. We dodged a bullet,” manager Rob Thomson said.

The medical staff told Harper the hamstring is, “the best it can be at this point.” While Harper was hesitant to make comparisons, Thomson said Harper’s strain is similar to what Brandon Marsh experienced earlier this month. Marsh was placed on the injured list on June 3, went on a rehab assignment on June 13 in Reading and was activated on June 15.

Schwarber did not speak with reporters prior to the game, but Thomson said he was initially informed on Thursday that Schwarber’s groin was pulled, which threw the Phillies manager, “into a loop.” His injury is also not serious. Schwarber was not on-deck during the bottom of the eighth inning and was pulled in the ninth on Thursday after suffering an injury while backing up Edmundo Sosa on a ground ball that skipped past the shortstop.

Kody Clemens was returned from his rehab assignment and activated from the 10-day injured list. Johan Rojas was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Both are in the starting lineup. Clemens is batting sixth and playing first base and Rojas is batting ninth and playing center field. Clemens will likely receive most of the starts at first base against right-handed starting pitchers. Bohm could get some starts at first base against lefties.

The Phillies were happy with Rojas’ progress at the plate during his nine-day stint in Triple A. Thomson said he will play “most of the time,” as long as he is in the big leagues.

Thomson said there is not an official timeline, but he is hoping to see both Schwarber and Harper back within 10-14 days.

“I don’t expect them to be out long,” Thomson said.