Philadelphia Phillies fans have a lot to get excited about heading into the 2024 season. After extending Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler in the offseason, the Phillies are committed to winning a championship in the 2024 season.
However, a concerning development has emerged for Phillies with Opening Day less than two weeks away. Superstar Bryce Harper has missed the Phillies’ last three Spring Training games with back discomfort and hasn’t played since March 14, reportedly.
On the bright side, their manager, Rob Thomson, said that he wasn’t concerned about Harper’s newest injury and expects him to be ready for Opening Day, saying, “I’m not concerned about Harper’s injury and I expect him to be ready for Opening Day on March 28 against the Atlanta Braves.”
Despite that, Phillies fans are worrisome that Harper is already dealing with back pain, which makes swinging a bat and playing defense difficult for him.
The two-time MVP has missed extensive time with injuries over the past three seasons, with missing an average of forty games per year. He’s also dealt with back injuries repeatedly throughout his career, which suggests his current issue could linger or re-appear later on in the 2024 season.
Thompson has tried to minimize Harper’s overall injury risk by moving him from the outfield to first base, which is less physically taxing. The team has also tried to use him as designated hitter more frequently and give him rest when he needs it.
However, back problems are difficult to play through and can be career-altering for the MVP.
Hopefully Harper recovers quickly and is good to go for the season opener. Thomson reported that he plans to rest Harper for a few more days as a precaution.
Hopefully Harper will be able to play through most of the season and help take the Phillies to the post season.
