On Wednesday, Bryce Harper suited up for his first Grapefruit League action this offseason as the Philadelphia Phillies squared off with the Toronto Blue Jays.
It didn’t end as Harper, his team and Philly fans would have hoped for, though. In the top of the sixth inning, the 29-year-old star first baseman was hit by a 92 mph fastball high up on his right arm by Toronto pitcher Richard Lovelady.
The impact sent his helmet flying off and he exited the game (and stadium) shortly thereafter.
Phillies manager Rob Thompson spoke to reporters after the 9-6 exhibition win and alleviated any long-term concerns over their slugger’s status.
“We’ll check him tomorrow but it’s a contusion in the triceps area,” Thompson said of Harper. “We’re not really over-concerned at all.”
The Athletic’s Matt Gelb also noted that Wednesday will be “the last time he makes a Grapefruit League road trip” before the Phillies open the 2025 regular season on March 27.
This is not the first time Harper has been involved in a scary HBP situation during his seven-year stint with Philadelphia.
As Yahoo Sports reports, the two-time MVP took a 96 mph fastball to the ankle in 2019, a 97 mph fastball to the face in 2021 and another 97 mph heater off his left thumb in 2022, which resulted in a multi-month absence.