The Philadelphia Phillies faced a tough loss on Thursday night against the Miami Marlins, falling 7-4 in a game that also saw two of their star players leave with injuries. Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber both exited the game with ailments, raising concerns for the team moving forward.
Harper, who had been elected to his eighth All-Star Game earlier in the day as the National League’s starting first baseman, suffered a hamstring injury while grounding out on the final play of the game. The outfielder limped off the field and expressed uncertainty about the severity of the injury, stating, “Felt my lower hammy just a little bit. We’re going to get an image tomorrow just to see what that looks like and see how I feel and go from there.”
The loss of Harper would be a significant blow to the Phillies, as he has been a key contributor to the team’s success this season. Batting .303 with 20 home runs and 58 RBIs, Harper’s absence would leave a noticeable void in the lineup.
On the other hand, Schwarber, who was playing in the field for just the third time this season, left the game in the top of the ninth inning due to left groin tightness. The designated hitter felt tightness while making a throw from left field, prompting his immediate removal from the game.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson provided limited information about Schwarber’s injury, stating, “He just felt his groin tighten up. So I got him out immediately, as soon as I knew about it. … I have no other news about that until tomorrow.” Schwarber himself expressed optimism about the injury, saying, “Personally, I don’t think it’s going to be super serious. See how we come in tomorrow and see how it feels.”
With Schwarber hitting .250 with 17 home runs and 49 RBIs this season, his potential absence would also be felt by the team. Thomson acknowledged the concern of having to remove both players from the game, emphasizing the uncertainty surrounding their injuries.
As the Phillies await further updates on Harper and Schwarber’s conditions, the team faces the challenge of potentially navigating through a period without two of their key players. The impact of their injuries on the team’s performance and playoff aspirations remains to be seen, but the Phillies will undoubtedly be monitoring their progress closely in the days to come.