Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper exited the game against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday after a concerning incident in the first inning. Harper was struck by a 95 mph fastball from Braves pitcher Spencer Strider, directly impacting his elbow. The situation initially appeared serious, as Harper was seen in clear discomfort, kneeling and holding his elbow closely. However, X-rays conducted on the injured area returned negative results, revealing only a bruised right elbow.

This particular elbow has been a focus of concern for Harper in recent years, as it was surgically repaired in 2022 following UCL surgery. That procedure significantly affected his 2023 season, causing him to miss a portion of games. Harper has received multiple blows to the elbow since his surgery; notably, in July 2023, he endured a similar hit by pitch that sidelined him for a brief period, but he made a swift return within less than a week.

In a further instance related to his elbow, during the National League Division Series in October 2023, he experienced contact with Braves first baseman Matt Olson when running through first base. Despite the pain, Harper reassured that he felt 'good,' attributing the discomfort to a hit on his 'funny bone' and promptly returned to defensive duties after a short visit to the clubhouse. As of now, Harper seems to have dodged significant injury from the latest incident, and he is expected to recover quickly. The 32-year-old star athlete has recorded eight home runs, 33 RBIs, and a batting average of .267 over the course of 53 games this season. As the Phillies maintain a strong presence in the NL East with a record of 34-19, Harper is poised to make a swift comeback to aid the team's aspirations.