On Wednesday, Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper faced a left-handed pitcher for the first time since suffering a bone bruise in his left knee. Harper was playing in a rehab game for the Clearwater Threshers, the Phillies’ High-A affiliate, and he went 0-for-2 with a walk against lefty starter Ryan Weathers.
Harper’s return to the lineup has been eagerly anticipated by Phillies fans, who are hoping he can help the team make a push for the playoffs. The 26-year-old outfielder has been out since July 18th, when he suffered the bone bruise while running out a ground ball. He had been on a tear prior to the injury, batting .333 with a .972 OPS and nine home runs in his last 30 games.
The Phillies have been able to stay afloat in Harper’s absence, but they are still in need of some offensive help. With Harper back in the lineup, the team should be able to generate more runs and put pressure on opposing pitchers.
Facing a left-handed pitcher is always a challenge for any right-handed hitter, and Harper is no exception. He has a career .743 OPS against lefties, compared to .917 against righties. However, Harper is still one of the best hitters in baseball, and he should be able to adjust to the challenge of facing lefties.
Harper’s return to the lineup is a welcome sight for Phillies fans, and it will be interesting to see how he fares against left-handed pitchers. With Harper back in the lineup, the Phillies have a much better chance of making a run at the playoffs.
