Take a deep breath, Phillies fans.
The entire city of Philadelphia collectively held its breath after star first baseman Bryce Harper appeared to suffer an injury to his surgically repaired right elbow late in Game 4 of the NLDS against the Braves.
Harper was holding his elbow in pain and since the injury occurred on the final out of the eighth inning, there was a moment of uncertainty surrounding the severity of the ailment.
Harper eventually returned to the contest as the Phillies closed out the victory in Game 4 to advance to the NLCS for the second consecutive season.
For more information on Harper's elbow injury, The Sporting News has you covered below:
Bryce Harper injury update
Harper appeared to have injured his surgically repaired right elbow after Matt Olson collided into him at first base in the top of the eighth inning.
After the game, when asked about the injury, Harper allayed fears: "I'm good. Just hit my funny bone," he said. Phillies manager Rob Thomson added that Philadelphia training staff believed there was no structural damage done to the elbow, but the team will see how Harper feels tomorrow morning.
Bryce Harper appears to be in pain after Olson collided with the arm he got surgery on last offseason.
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) October 13, 2023
🎥: @TalkinBaseball_
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Harper was holding his elbow as his teammates gathered around him. Olson's groundout ended the inning, and Harper looked like he was trying to rub it off as he headed back to the dugout.
The Phillies star went back to the clubhouse, presumably to get his elbow evaluated, but he returned to the dugout shortly after.
When Philadelphia took the field for the top of the ninth, Harper returned to first base.
MORE: Why is Bryce Harper playing first base?
Bryce Harper elbow surgery
Harper had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in November of 2022. He was expected to return to the Phillies' lineup as a hitter by the All-Star break, but his recovery was much faster than expected.
Harper made his 2023 debut on May 2nd, and he served as Philadelphia's designated hitter for his first 63 games of the season. On July 21, he took the field for the first time this season as a first baseman.
Harper only ended up missing 36 games this season, appearing in 136 contests as a DH or 1B.
He has strictly played first base for the Phillies during their 2023 postseason run so far.
MORE: Why Orlando Arcia's comments motivated Bryce Harper after NLDS Game 2
Phillies 2023 NLCS schedule
All times are Eastern and are subject to change given the results of other series.
Date | Game | Start time (ET) | TV channel | Result |
Monday, Oct. 16 | Diamondbacks at Phillies | 8:07 p.m. | TBS | -- |
Tuesday, Oct. 17 | Diamondbacks at Phillies | 8:07 p.m. | TBS | -- |
Thursday, Oct. 19 | Phillies at Diamondbacks | 7:07 p.m. | TBS | -- |
Friday, Oct. 20 | Phillies at Diamondbacks | 8:07 p.m. | TBS | -- |
Saturday, Oct. 21 | Phillies at Diamondbacks* | 8:07 p.m. | TBS | -- |
Monday, Oct. 23 | Diamondbacks at Phillies* | 7:07 p.m. | TBS | -- |
Tuesday, Oct. 24 | Diamondbacks at Phillies* | 8:07 p.m. | TBS | -- |
* - If necessary