Bryce Harper out of Phillies’ lineup with ongoing right wrist soreness

Harper misses game against Pirates due to right wrist issue

Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper was not in the lineup for Friday night's June 6, series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates due to soreness in his right wrist. The injury concern follows a brief return to play after Harper missed five games from a right elbow injury suffered on May 27.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson described Harper’s wrist issue as a lingering concern that predates the elbow injury. “It’s his right wrist, it’s a little sore,” Thomson said. “It’s been sore for a while. He’s been fighting through it.” The two-time MVP informed the team’s training staff that the discomfort had increased, prompting the decision to hold him out of the game.

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Harper had returned to action earlier in the week and homered in Tuesday’s matchup against the Toronto Blue Jays. However, his performance dipped over the next two games, going 0-for-8 at the plate with five strikeouts, including three swinging strikeouts on Thursday. It was only the second time this season Harper struck out swinging three times in a single game.

Wrist injury predates May hit-by-pitch incident

The Phillies injury update confirmed that Harper’s right wrist soreness has been an ongoing issue since last season. Harper first publicly acknowledged wrist discomfort in August 2024, when he began wearing a protective sleeve on his right arm. At that time, Harper noted the injury had started to develop in May of that season and gradually worsened.

While there is no identified play that caused the current flare-up, questions remain about whether the recent elbow injury and subsequent adjustments in swing mechanics may have contributed. Thomson stated that Harper is “just having trouble swinging,” and emphasized that the team is taking a cautious approach.

The Phillies have classified the injury as day-to-day. No additional imaging or scans have been announced, and Harper was unavailable for comment prior to Friday’s game.

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Phillies monitoring Harper’s condition moving forward
The Bryce Harper injury status will be monitored closely as the Phillies aim to prevent a recurrence of last year’s prolonged discomfort. Last season, Harper played through both wrist and elbow issues, with the team hoping to avoid a similar scenario this year.

Philadelphia remains focused on Harper’s long-term availability. “If it’s affecting his swing, then we’re going to hold him off and get it right,” Thomson said. Harper's history with upper-limb injuries has made the club more cautious in handling any early signs of recurring soreness.

With no specific timeline for return, the Phillies are expected to assess Harper’s condition daily before making future lineup decisions. His absence comes during a critical point in the regular season as the club pushes for consistency in its offensive production.