Injury updates continue to loom large for the Philadelphia Phillies as first baseman Bryce Harper remains sidelined. Originally expected to travel with the team on a road trip to face the Miami Marlins, Harper will instead stay in Philadelphia for further evaluation, with no specific timeline for his return. His absence was felt during a rough stretch of games, but the team bounced back, winning five of six against formidable opponents like the Chicago Cubs and Toronto Blue Jays. As the Mets arrive in Philadelphia on Friday, the Phillies hope to have Harper back in the lineup.

On the season, Harper is batting .258 with nine home runs and 34 RBIs as he recovers from right wrist inflammation sustained after being hit by a pitch. The Phillies have been cautious, opting to keep him on the injured list for an extra day to prevent any further setbacks. In the meantime, rookie Otto Kemp has stepped up, boasting a .345 batting average through his first eight games, leaving the team with a potential decision to make once Harper is healthy.