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Phillies Place Harper on IL Amid Nine-Game Skid

Sandy Verma | June 8, 2025 9:25 AM CST

Phillies Place Harper on IL Amid Nine-Game Skid \ TezzBuzz \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Bryce Harper was placed on the 10-day injured list with wrist inflammation as the Phillies lost again to the Pirates. The former MVP has been battling pain for months and hopes to return soon. Meanwhile, Philadelphia’s slump continues, dropping eight of its last nine games.

Quick Looks

Bryce Harper placed on 10-day IL with right wrist inflammation.
The move is retroactive to Friday, when he sat out a loss.
Harper is batting .258 with 9 home runs and 34 RBIs this season.
He previously missed time due to a bruised right elbow.
Harper said his wrist has been bothering him since early in the year.
Manager Rob Thomson offered no firm timetable for his return.
Alec Bohm will play first base; Edmundo Sosa takes over at third.
The Phillies have lost 8 of their last 9 games.
Otto Kemp debuted after being promoted from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Right-hander Daniel Robert was recalled; Alan Rangel was optioned.

Deep Look

The Philadelphia Phillies’ season took another downturn over the weekend as the team placed superstar first baseman Bryce Harper on the 10-day injured list with right wrist inflammation, just hours before dropping a narrow 2-1 decision to the Pittsburgh Pirates. The injury, which has lingered for months, is the latest blow to a club that has suddenly lost its early-season momentum and now finds itself in a deep slump, losing eight of its last nine games.

Harper’s absence looms large for a Phillies lineup that has already been reeling offensively. The two-time National League MVP and eight-time All-Star had been hitting .258 with nine home runs, 34 RBIs, and eight stolen bases through 57 games. Though not quite at his peak form, Harper remained one of the team’s most consistent and dynamic offensive forces.

But the wrist pain, Harper admitted, had reached an intolerable level. “It’s gotten to the point where I can’t really function on a baseball field,” he said. “It’s been long enough.” The inflammation had gradually worsened, dating back to late last season when Harper still managed to slug 30 home runs and help power the Phillies to an NL East division title.

This season, Harper had already missed a week of action between May 26 and June 2 after taking a fastball to the elbow from Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Strider. Though he returned from that injury quickly, the wrist issue remained persistent, limiting his swing effectiveness and creating discomfort in nearly every in-game movement.

Now, with the wrist sidelining him indefinitely, questions swirl around how long the Phillies can stay afloat without their franchise centerpiece. Manager Rob Thomson, while cautiously optimistic, offered no specific timetable for Harper’s return. “I’m hoping it’s close to 10 days,” Thomson said. “But I really don’t know.”

In Harper’s absence, the team will shuffle its infield configuration. Alec Bohm, the Phillies’ regular third baseman, will move across the diamond to cover first base duties, while Edmundo Sosa—known for his versatility—will step in at third. The reshuffling reflects not just a need for positional coverage but a broader attempt to inject life into a roster that has stumbled significantly in recent weeks.

The Phillies had surged to the top of the National League East after a dominant stretch in May, winning 11 of 12 games. But the momentum has since vanished, and the team now trails the red-hot New York Mets by three games. The offensive output has been inconsistent, and the bullpen—previously a strength—has begun to falter under the pressure of close games and reduced run support.

In a bid to shake things up and find a spark, the Phillies also made several roster moves. Infielder/outfielder Otto Kemp was called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley after a torrid stretch in the minors. The 25-year-old was batting .317 with 14 home runs, 55 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases in 57 games. Kemp earned International League Player of the Month honors in April and has been one of the most talked-about prospects in the system. He made his major league debut Saturday, starting at third base and going 0-for-3.

Kemp’s promotion is part of a broader trend this season, as teams lean on minor league talent to patch holes created by injuries and underperformance. For the Phillies, the hope is that Kemp’s bat—and versatility—can provide a needed lift while veterans like Harper recover.

Additionally, right-hander Daniel Robert was recalled from Triple-A for his third stint with the big league club this year. The 30-year-old has appeared in two games so far, allowing one run over two-thirds of an inning. His return came as the Phillies optioned Alan Rangel back to Lehigh Valley. Rangel, 27, made his MLB debut on Friday, giving up two runs across three innings of relief in an otherwise solid outing.

The flurry of transactions underscores the uncertainty and urgency swirling within the Phillies’ clubhouse. The front office appears to be in damage-control mode, trying to stabilize the roster as the team’s performance dips and injury concerns mount. With Harper out and no immediate return guaranteed, others will need to step up—including Bohm, Kyle Schwarber, and Trea Turner—if Philadelphia is to remain in playoff contention.

But the road ahead is far from easy. The Phillies’ upcoming schedule includes key divisional matchups that could widen the gap in the standings if the current skid continues. And with the All-Star break looming, every game becomes more consequential.

The Phillies, already on shaky footing after last year’s disappointing postseason exit, are now battling both injuries and inconsistency. Harper’s injury is emblematic of the team’s larger challenges—talent and potential are in place, but health and timing remain elusive.

As Harper begins his rehab and the team scrambles to recalibrate, the pressure is mounting. For a franchise with championship aspirations and one of the game’s most passionate fanbases, this latest setback is more than a minor blip. It’s a pivotal test of depth, leadership, and resilience in what could become a defining stretch of the 2025 season.