Bryce Harper hasn’t played since he injured his thumb on an awkward slide into third base in Sunday’s series finale with the Pittsburgh Pirates in PNC Park. Harper told his manager Dusty Baker on Tuesday that he thought he was ready to return, but Baker decided against reinserting the right fielder for the second of four with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
“He wanted to play today,” Baker explained, “but I didn’t think it was wise for him to play today. He was being courageous. I’ve told these guys that it’s hero time, they asked, ‘Was it hero time yet?