The Philadelphia Phillies quietly put together one of the best seasons in franchise history in 2024, winning 95 games, their highest total since their 102-win campaign in 2011. It was only the fourth time in the team’s 141-year history that they surpassed 95 wins, but as in previous seasons, the ultimate goal of a World Series championship remained elusive.
Despite their high payroll and championship aspirations, the Phillies were eliminated in the NL Division Series by the New York Mets, leaving them hungry for another deep postseason run in 2025. However, as they prepare for the new season, they’ve been dealt a double dose of bad news, with injuries affecting both Bryce Harper and key utility man Weston Wilson.
The Phillies’ $330 million franchise cornerstone, Bryce Harper, gave fans a scare on Wednesday when he was forced to leave a spring training game after being hit by a 92-mph fastball on his upper right arm. The pitch, thrown by Toronto Blue Jays left-hander Richard Lovelady, deflected off Harper’s triceps and knocked his helmet off, leading to a tense moment at the plate.
Clearly frustrated by the incident, Harper turned toward the Blue Jays dugout and reportedly asked, “What are you doing?”, according to The Athletic. The 32-year-old superstar, who was named NL Rookie of the Year in 2012 and NL MVP in 2021, is a vital part of the Phillies’ championship hopes, making any injury scare a major concern.
Harper signed his 13-year, $330 million deal with the Phillies in 2019, and after an up-and-down start, he has led the team to back-to-back playoff appearances and a World Series berth in 2022. As the heart of the lineup, the Phillies can’t afford to lose him for an extended period.
Fortunately, the initial diagnosis suggests that Harper’s injury may not be as bad as it looked. Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Harper suffered only a bruised triceps, adding that the team is “not overly concerned at all.”
However, it remains unclear how long Harper will be sidelined, as further medical evaluation was still pending as of Wednesday afternoon. Given the importance of keeping him healthy for the long haul, the Phillies may take a cautious approach before allowing him back into game action.
Harper’s injury scare comes just days after the Phillies lost key utility man Weston Wilson to a freak oblique strain. Wilson, who was in the running for the team’s final bench spot, suffered the injury while taking a practice swing in the batting cage at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Florida.
Wilson is now expected to be sidelined for at least six weeks, a frustrating setback after spending the offseason preparing for a key bench role with the club.
“I spent a lot of time this offseason getting my body in the best shape possible,” Wilson told MLB.com. “Just a freak accident. I didn’t feel anything before, so, like, nothing warning me. Disappointment, I would say, is the biggest word. It sucks.”
With Harper’s health still uncertain and Wilson out for an extended period, the Phillies must now make early adjustments before Opening Day. If Harper is forced to miss time, Thomson may need to reshuffle the lineup, while Wilson’s absence could impact the team’s bench depth.
As the Phillies enter the 2025 season with high expectations, they’ll be hoping Harper’s injury is nothing more than a short-term setback—and that this string of early injuries doesn’t derail their championship aspirations before the season even begins.
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