Philadelphia Phillies star slugger Bryce Harper has been scratched from Tuesday afternoon's lineup against the New York Mets as the team announced that he is dealing with a “migraine.” This was said on the Phillies' X (formerly known as Twitter) page where they announced the updated lineup in his absence.
This news comes after Harper was hit in the head with the baseball when he was up to bat, but the events were as unusual and unlucky as they can come. After a strike was thrown by Mets starting pitcher Sean Manea to Harper, the catcher in Tomas Nido's intentions were to throw the ball back, but it seemed to accidentally hit the Philadelphia star in the head.
Harper was taken aback when the ball hit his helmet as he continued on in the game as the event occurred in the bottom of the first inning. It was a sudden change for the Phillies as they announced the updated lineup about 20 minutes before the first pitch. He is considered “day-to-day” from here on out as the expectation is speculative that he is fine.
After the game, Phillies manager Rob Thompson dropped an encouraging update on Harper, per Matt Gelb of The Athletic.
‘Bryce Harper is feeling better, Rob Thomson said. Migraine was not related to being hit in head by Nido’s throw last night. He was available to pinch-hit. Will play tomorrow. So will J.T. Realmuto, Thomson said, barring anything unexpected.'
Harper a huge reason for Philadelphia's success
When it comes to Philadelphia as a whole this season, they have experienced major success as Harper has been the anchor of the offense. On the year so far, Harper has recorded nine home runs, 29 runs batted in, an on-base percentage of .877, and a batting average of .259.
The Phillies are looking to get back to the World Series like they did in 2022, but did not end up winning the championship series against the Houston Astros that lasted six games. Their last taste of gold was in 2008 where they won their second World Series ever as before that, they won in 1980 as the city is looking for their baseball team to get over the hump.
Harper gives credit to the pitching, especially Ranger Suarez
While the offense will be a huge reason why they win a lot of games this season, Harper does not want fans to under rate the pitching staff as well. He has mentioned time and time again that the Phillies' pitching has been dynamite so far this season.
“Our pitching has been lights out,” Harper said after a 10-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays last Tuesday.
In terms of the main slingers on the team, people know the talent of Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola who have proven after many years that they are one of the best in the majors. However, they also have a third in Ranger Suarez who has been phenomenal for Philadelphia, even getting the praise from Harper.
“People might not like it but I think he's the best 3 in the game,” Harper said following a 5-0 win to the Colorado Rockies on April 16 (h/t Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia).
“I've been around a lot of good pitchers and they have kind of that same demeanor,” Harper continued on sharing his view of Suarez.
Harper calls Suarez a rare pitcher
While that quote came from about a month ago, Suarez has not dipped in production in the slightest as he currently has a 7-1 record (first in the MLB), a 1.50 earned run average, 55 strike outs, and a 0.72 WHIP (first in the MLB). Harper would say that he does not “think they make 'em like that anymore” in reference to Suarez and his intangibles in pitching.
“It's a lot of fun to see what these guys can do,” Harper said. “I just don't think they make 'em like that anymore really, getting into the seventh inning, grinding through, getting to the eighth inning. A lot of guys are in the minor leagues throwing 3½ innings and getting out of the game. It's kind of tough for the game.”
The 28-year old Phillies pitcher is coming off of another great performance, this time against NL East rivals in the Miami Marlins where he struck out nine players and only allowed three hits and two walks.
Harper on Suarez getting paid by the Phillies in the future
Philadelphia is also getting insane value for him this season as according to ClutchPoints' Rexwell Villas “Suarez is bringing terrific value to the table for the Phillies, who are paying him just $5.05 million in 2023 after both sides signed that deal to avoid arbitration back in January. He is still arbitration-eligible in 2025, but if he sustains his blazing form, he should be able to get way more money the next time he puts ink on paper.”
“So when you have guys that are valuable like that, you're gonna get paid,” Harper said about Suarez's future in terms of money. “You throw 200 innings, you're going to get a lot of money. I think Ranger's going to be one of those guys and very fortunate to have him on our side.”
To achieve the championship aspirations they have set for themselves, it is going to take a collective effort from the Phillies in terms of their offense and pitching to produce at a high level. Before Tuesday afternoon's contest, they are 29-13 which puts them first in the NL East with the defending division winners Atlanta Braves behind them. They are in the midst of a four-game series (fist two in New York, the two after in Philadelphia) against the Mets that concludes Thursday evening.
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