What Philadelphia Phillies fans feared came true as the team announced that Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber will spend some time on the injured list.
The two will spend ten days in the medical bay after getting hurt in their 4-7 loss to the Miami Marlins on Thursday.
Harper suffered a left hamstring strain during the late moments of the game in the ninth inning, while Schwarber had a left groin strain during the eighth inning.
The team confirmed that Harper's injury is not a major concern and that the decision to put him on IL was made for precaution.
Harper has the same sentiment.
"Bummed to go on the IL," Harper said ahead of the Friday rematch with the Marlins.
"Never wanted that to happen, obviously. But it was the best decision for our team. Hopefully get back in the smartest way possible and quickest way as well."
Schwarber, for his part, said it was the trainer's decision to remove him from the game to prevent greater risk.
"I thought it was just a cramp at first and I finished the inning," he said.
"But, as I was running in (between innings) I could still kind of feel it, so I talked to the trainer and he didn't like where the spot was ... so he wanted to get me out of there."
Replacement for the two aces
Phillies are having a great first half of the 2024 MLB season. They are at the top of the National League East, eight games above second-placer Atlanta Braves.
They hoped the absence of their two All-Stars would not have much impact.
Harper is an MVP candidate who leads the NL in "average (fifth), homers (third), RBIs (fourth), on-base percentage (.399, fifth), slugging percentage (.582, second) and on-base plus slugging percentage (.981, second)."
Schwarber is just as reliable. He was batting .250 with 17 homers and 49 RBIs before the injury. He also leads the NL in walks with 59.
Infielder Kody Clemens and outfielder Johan Rojas, who were recalled from the Triple-A Lehigh Valley, are coming in for the pair.
Rojas had seen some major action before but was sent down again to Triple-A to find his form.
Manager Rob Thomson believes in Rojas's potential and hopes he can prove himself again with the call-up.
"Everything that we wanted him to do - see pitches, grind out at-bats, use the field, use the speed game with bunting, cut down his swing - he did all of that," Thomson said of Rojas.
"So he's proven to us that he's got the aptitude to be able to do that and the physical capabilities to do that, and hopefully it continues here."
All-Star availability of Harper and Schwarber
Harper topped the National League in the first phase of voting, which automatically makes him the NL starter at first base.
Schwarber is also on the shortlist and moves on to the second voting phase.
Both Harper and Schwarber are on the 10-day injured list. This means they still have time to get healthy before the July 16 festivities at Globe Life Field in Texas.
Schwarber is looking at his potential third All-Star Game appearance, while Harper notched his eighth, seven as a starter.
Related article: MLB All-Star 2024 Voting Results - Dodgers Has 3 Players Vying for Starting Spot; Who is Top Vote-Getter?
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