Bryce Harper Exits Phillies Game With Migraine: Why This Could Get Worse Before It Gets Better
The Philadelphia Phillies caught a scare last weekend when Bryce Harper exited Saturday’s game against the Colorado Rockies with a migraine. The Phillies first baseman has been one of the most reliable offensive engines in the National League all season, and any health issue with him is the kind of thing that ripples through the entire NL East race.
The migraine came on suddenly, according to interim manager Don Mattingly. The team was not aware of any symptoms before the start of the game. Harper grabbed his head, the trainer came out, and he was out of the lineup. Mattingly said postgame that the team thought he would be available the next day. Whether that holds up over a long week of games is the question.
Harper has been hitting at an elite level this year, slashing .282/.372/.534 with 20 extra-base hits, 26 RBI, and 24 walks across 188 plate appearances. He has 26 runs scored and a pair of stolen bases. The Phillies are heavily reliant on him in the middle of the order, and his absence even for a few games can be the difference between holding a lead and falling out of the divisional picture.
The migraine is a particular concern because of his medical history. Harper has dealt with various physical issues over the past few seasons. He had right wrist inflammation that landed him on the 10-day IL from June 6 through June 29 last year. He has dealt with elbow issues. He has had foundational maintenance issues that any 33-year-old superstar deals with.
One game with a migraine is not a disaster. A recurring migraine, especially one that limits his time at the plate, is a different conversation. Migraines can be tied to dehydration, stress, neck issues, screen exposure, sleep, and a dozen other variables. Tracking down a cause is rarely simple. Players who deal with them sometimes deal with them for months.
The Phillies have a lineup that can survive a short Harper absence. Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, and Alec Bohm provide enough firepower to keep the offense humming. The lineup gets noticeably less terrifying without him, though. Pitchers can pick around the bats they fear less when Harper is on the bench, and the cascade effect on runs scored is real.
Don Mattingly stepping in as interim manager has been one of the quieter stories of the season. Mattingly is one of the most respected baseball lifers, and he has the steady hand the Phillies needed after a midseason coaching shuffle. Handling Harper’s health is going to be one of his bigger tests. Push him too hard, and you risk a longer absence. Sit him too much, and you lose ground in the East.
The Phillies are still going to be a National League contender. Harper is still going to be the heartbeat of their lineup. Migraines are scary because they are unpredictable. Hopefully this one is a one-time thing tied to dehydration or a bad night of sleep. If it is something more chronic, the Phillies are going to be doing a lot of careful conversation in the coming weeks.
For now, the headline is simple. Bryce Harper exited a game with a migraine. He is expected back. Philadelphia is watching very closely.
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
