TORONTO (AP) — Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper returned to the starting lineup Tuesday against the Toronto Blue Jays after he missed the last five games with a bruised right elbow.
Harper played first base and batted third in his first game since he was hit by a 95 mph fastball from Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Strider during the first inning of a game last week.
The Phillies went 1-4 without Harper and fell out of first place in the NL East.
Harper’s elbow, which underwent Tommy John surgery after the 2022 World Series, remains a sensitive area.