Phillies' Bryce Harper Not Expected to Play RF Before All-Star Break Due to Injury

According to Matt Breen of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the right fielder for the Phils is not expected to play before the All-Star break.

He sat the last two games after having a platelet-rich plasma injection in his elbow. The veteran was told not to throw for six weeks.

The reigning National League Most Valuable Player has a small tear in his ulnar collateral ligament, which has forced him to spend most of his time as a designated hitter this season. Through 34 games,Harper has made just eight appearances in his usual right field spot.

The 29-year-old is off to a good start. He is batting.305 with nine home runs. He was named the NL Player of the Week on May 14 after batting.609 (14-for-23) with three homers, six doubles, eight RBI and a 1.902 OPS in his previous six games.

Entering Wednesday's game against the Padres, thePhillies are second in the NL East with a 17-19 record.