Bryce fractures thumb on HBP: 'A gut punch'

Bryce Harper fractured his left thumb when he was hit by Blake Snell’s 97.2 mph fastball in the fourth inning.

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Harper does not know how much time he will miss or if he will require surgery.

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He will have a better sense of that upon following further evaluation in Philadelphia.

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“It’s just a gut punch,” Harper said after the Phillies’ 4-2 victory over the Padres.

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Any time missed is a major blow. There is no replacing the reigning NL MVP.

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“Things happen for a reason,” Harper said. “Everybody says that. This reason sucks right now, but at the same time, it is what it is.

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I’ve got to be positive. I’ve got to be positive for the guys in here.

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I know they’ll pick up the slack. I’m just really bummed for the organization, the guys, the city of Philadelphia,

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