The highly anticipated matchup between Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies and Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Bowden Francis, the American League Pitcher of the Month, was cut short on Wednesday.
Harper was hit on the elbow by a fastball clocked at 92.9 mph from Francis in the game’s first inning, leading to his early exit.
The Phillies later confirmed that Harper sustained a bruised left elbow, and further evaluations were scheduled.
It’s worth noting that Harper underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow following the 2022 season.
Phillies said Bryce Harper left the game with a bruised left elbow. He will be further evaluated.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) September 4, 2024
At 31, Harper continues to shine this season, hitting .282 along with 26 home runs and 76 RBIs. The Phillies have maintained a strong lead in the National League East, though they recently saw a slide in the standings. With a record of 82-56, they’re now trailing behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the race for the NL’s top seed.
Mike Christy/Getty Images
Harper signed a massive 13-year, $330 million contract with the Phillies in 2019 and claimed his second MVP title in 2021, adding to his previous one from 2015.
Since his debut in 2012, where he was named the National League Rookie of the Year, Harper has established himself as a major figure in baseball, boasting impressive stats: 332 home runs, 965 RBIs, 138 stolen bases, and a .281 batting average.
The matchup against Francis was particularly notable, as the 28-year-old rookie has been on fire, leading into the game with a stellar 0.31 WHIP over his last four starts, an all-time low for any pitcher in that span.
Francis came into the game sporting an 8-3 record with a 3.66 ERA and received the American League Pitcher of the Month award for August, during which he posted a remarkable 1.05 ERA and a 0.41 WHIP.
Bowden Francis’ last 5 starts:
4-0
34 IP
9 H (.081 BAA)
4 ER (1.06 ERA)
39 KCatch Francis take the mound against the Phillies today at 3pm ET on MLB Network! pic.twitter.com/A61E7dw3Nl
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) September 4, 2024
Francis, who had a rocky path to the majors since being promoted to Triple-A in 2021, has found his place in the Blue Jays’ rotation as they navigate a challenging midseason rebuild. As of Wednesday, Toronto sits at 67-73, eight games back in the American League Wild Card race.