Bryce Harper injury: 3 replacements Phillies need to look into
By Drew Koch
Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper will be out of the lineup for some time with a broken left thumb.
The Philadelphia Phillies will be scrambling in the coming days in an attempt to find a replacement for 2021 NL MVP Bryce Harper. The slugger was drilled during Saturday’s game against the San Diego Padres by a Blake Snell fastball.
There’s no timetable as of yet for Harper’s return, but fans should assume that the six-time All-Star will be out of commission for several weeks and perhaps even two months. This is a devastating blow to the Phillies’ playoff aspirations.
But, with Major League Baseball entering the time of year when teams are looking to wheel and deal, perhaps the Phillies can find a short-term solution to Harper’s absence. Which three players might Philadelphia look to in order to replace Bryce Harper?
1. David Peralta could replace Bryce Harper in the Phillies lineup.
When looking at possible replacements for Bryce Harper, you’d have to assume that the Philadelphia Phillies will be looking for a short-term commitment and a left-handed bat. David Peralta fits those two categories.
The 34-year-old Peralta will become a free agent after this season and can bring solid defense to the Phillies outfield. Bryce Harper has been hampered by injury throughout the majority of the 2022 season which has limited to the two-time All-Star to occupying the role of DH only.
Adding a skilled fielder like David Peralta would allow the Phillies to move Kyle Schwarber into the DH role and give Philadelphia a better defensive presence in left field. The Arizona Diamondbacks are most likely going to be sellers at the trade deadline and are unlikely to bring Peralta back to the desert next season.