Phillies place Bryce Harper on IL with left hamstring strain, keeping him out at least 10 days – MASHAHER

Losing a game is bad for the Philadelphia Phillies. Losing Bryce Harper for any amount of time is worse.

The Phillies placed their star slugger on the 10-day injured list with a strained left hamstring on Friday. Examinations showed a low-grade strain, which could mean Harper can return when he’s eligible to come off the IL on July 9, according to The Athletic’s Matt Gelb. However, the Phillies could also decide to give him another 10 days to recover if they keep him out through the All-Star break.

The former MVP limped off the field Thursday with an apparent hamstring injury sustained on a game-ending groundout. Harper ran full-speed up to first base, but took an awkward final step and pulled up in clear discomfort.

Following the game, Harper said he’d “never felt anything like this before.” But he appears to have avoided a more serious injury.

The Phillies, who lost 7-4 to the last-place Miami Marlins, already had enough to worry about after left fielder Kyle Schwarber exited the game with left groin tightness. Schwarber is also going on the IL, but is likely to return after 10 days with a mild strain.

Manager Rob Thomson didn’t have any update on Harper immediately after Thursday’s game, saying the team would know more Friday. He said Schwarber’s removal was mostly precautionary and the injury occurred on an off-balance throw from the outfield.

Schwarber added that he didn’t feel the injury was “super serious,” but did say he would likely undergo imaging.

Both Harper and Schwarber are on pace for another strong year, with Harper in particular a standout. He was revealed earlier Thursday to have led the entire NL in the first round of All-Star voting, making him an automatic starter at first base. The Phillies can only hope he’ll be ready in time.