Phillies’ Bryce Harper plays despite nagging elbow, wrist injuries | Sports

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Bryce Harper says he’ll be fine in October, saying the elbow and wrist injuries the two-time NL MVP has suffered this season with the Philadelphia Phillies are more of a liability than a playoff concern.

What other choice does Harper have?

“I just have to do it,” Harper said after Friday night’s 7-2 loss to Atlanta. “It’s part of the game. It’s part of the process of a season. I just have to keep going and realize that I rely heavily on my body.”

The Phillies rely heavily on Harper, their franchise star who led their run to an NL East title. Harper’s pop has declined this month, about as noticeably as the black support sleeve he wears on his right arm.

Harper told MLB.com prior to Friday’s game against Atlanta that his wrist has been bothering him since May, while his elbow is a more recent issue.

“It’s nothing crazy, but it’s definitely there,” Harper told the website.

Harper doubled twice (giving him 33 this season) and singled against the Braves, but still hasn’t hit a homer since Aug. 9, a streak of 77 consecutive plate appearances. Harper has 26 homers this season, his most since hitting 35 in 2021.

“It’s August, that’s for sure. I think everybody’s just kind of grinding,” Harper said. “It’s just part of the game.”

The 31-year-old Harper is in his first full season at first base after reconstructive elbow surgery forced him to move from right field. Harper defied expectations last season, returning 160 days after Tommy John surgery on his right elbow following the 2022 World Series.

Harper was hailed as a baseball prodigy before he was a teenager, billed as baseball’s version of LeBron James or Tiger Woods. The Las Vegas sensation rose to stardom and MVP with the Washington Nationals before a second life as a postseason champion in Philadelphia.

When the Phillies are in a tight spot, they can always count on Harper. Harper hit a game-ending RBI single in the 10th inning against Houston closer Josh Hader in a 3-2 victory on Monday night.

Harper said the Phillies can count on him again in October, regardless of the aches and pains.

“No, I’m not worried,” Harper said.