Harper set for thumb surgery, Phils hope he plays this year

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PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Phillies slugger Bryce Harper will have surgery Wednesday to repair his broken left thumb and the team hopes the 2021 NL MVP can play again this season.

Manager Rob Thomson did not offer a timetable for Harper’s return.

“It’s tough, but it’s probably the best thing for him. So whatever’s best for him is best for me,” Thomson said Tuesday. “If he’s able to come back, which we plan on, then that’s good under the circumstances.”

Harper’s thumb was broken when he was hit by a 97 mph pitch from San Diego Padres left-hander Blake Snell on Saturday night.

The 29-year-old Harper is hitting .318 with 15 home runs, 48 RBIs and a .985 OPS, and has helped the Phillies recently surge back into playoff contention.

The Phillies opened a three-game series Tuesday night against Atlanta.

“I’ve got to be positive for the guys in here. I know they’ll pick up the slack. I’m just really bummed for the organization, the guys, the city of Philadelphia, the fans. I love running out there and playing every day. Definitely bummed,” Harper said after the injury.

Harper checked his swing as the pitch rode inside and high toward his shoulder before hitting him on the outside of the left hand in the fourth inning. He fell to the ground and was in pain as he held his hand while on his knees for several minutes.

“I think this is probably what’s best for him although it’s a broken bone and that’s bad; he’s not happy about that, not being able to play because he wants to play, “Thomson said. “But he’s looking forward to getting back (near) the end of the year.”

The Atlanta Braves faced a similar situation last season when Ronald Acuña Jr. tore the ACL in his right knee last July 10 and was lost for the season. Acuña was batting .283 with 24 homers and 52 RBIs in 82 games and was an MVP candidate when he went down.

But the Braves went on to win the World Series without their star outfielder.

“How I view it is when somebody goes down like that it’s an opportunity for somebody else to step in and do something really good,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said prior to the game at Philadelphia. “It never fazed our guys one bit all year. These guys keep playing, they keep preparing, they keep doing what they do.”

Snitker expects something similar from the Phillies.

“There’s still a lot of thunder in that lineup,” he said.

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