Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper exited Tuesday night’s game against the Atlanta Braves early after being hit on the elbow by a pitch in the first inning. The fastball from Braves pitcher Spencer Strider left Harper in visible pain, dropping to one knee while holding his arm.
Initial concerns were high, but the Phillies later confirmed that X-rays were negative, diagnosing Harper with a right elbow contusion. While not serious, the injury could still sideline him temporarily.
Strider’s control issues aren’t entirely unexpected. He returned to the Braves’ rotation after dealing with a hamstring injury during his recovery from elbow surgery. Despite the team opting against a minor league rehab stint, Strider was thrust back into action on May 20 against the Nationals giving up four home runs, six hits, and hitting two batters in 4.1 innings.
In his latest outing on Tuesday, Strider struck out five but also gave up a run, walked two, and hit Harper. Notably, he has now hit batters in all three of his starts this season—something he’s never done in consecutive appearances before.
While hit-by-pitches can happen in any game, Strider’s rushed return and lack of sharpness have raised questions about whether the Braves should have handled his comeback with more caution.
