Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper is slugging his way to an All-Star election, but even if he gets what he’s earning, don’t expect to see him in this year’s midsummer event.
With a tear in his UCL preventing him from playing the outfield, it’s likely Harper will sit out the game to avoid further injury and use the time off to rest, instead.
Will Bryce Harper skip the All-Star Game in the midst of his UCL injury?
The All-Star Game is just over a month away, but past precedent suggests Harper would turn down a spot. Despite going on to win the NL MVP and a Silver Slugger Award in 2021, he wasn’t an All-Star, but said at the time that he would’ve chosen to stay home with his family and rest regardless:
"“I probably wouldn’t have went anyway. I wanted to enjoy my family. Really, I’ve been dealing with my back, I’ve been dealing with my shoulder, things like that, so I probably would have taken a break from it and enjoyed my family and took some down time.”"
After the shortened spring training, expect other players to also take the break rather than play in the game.
Over his first 45 games of the season, Harper is hitting .303/.359/.584 with a .943 OPS, 18 doubles, and 10 home runs. Most of that production has come from the DH spot, as he hasn’t played the outfield since April 16 and won’t be able to do so for at least a month. His precarious position looked worse on Wednesday when he was a late scratch from the lineup due to right forearm soreness.
It’s unclear what Harper’s future holds, but the All-Star Game probably isn’t part of it this year.