Philadelphia, Pa. — The Phillies have announced that first baseman Bryce Harper is back on the active roster after a 10-day stint on the injured list due to wrist inflammation. To create space for Harper, Philadelphia has designated utility player Buddy Kennedy for assignment.
Harper, who missed nearly four weeks, is eager to contribute once again in the middle of the batting order. This season, he has recorded a .258 batting average with a .368 on-base percentage and .446 slugging percentage, numbers that reflect his strong capability at the plate but fall short of his usual performance standards. His current production is 26% above the league average, according to advanced metrics.
Before his injury, Harper’s performance had dipped significantly. After boasting a .276 average and .382 on-base percentage in late May, he posted a troubling .143 batting average in the eight games leading up to his injury. Manager Rob Thomson acknowledged that Harper had been battling wrist problems for a while, although he did not specify the exact timeline. Harper also sustained an elbow injury when he was hit by a pitch from Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Strider during his slump, further complicating his performance.
Kennedy, now facing his second designation for assignment this year, has yet to find consistent footing with the Phillies. The 26-year-old has been unable to secure a permanent spot on the roster, having been designated for assignment earlier in the year before returning on a minor league contract. In his brief time back in the majors, he appeared in just four games without recording a hit, drawing one walk in eight plate appearances.
Throughout his relatively short major league career, spanning parts of four seasons with the Diamondbacks, Tigers, and Phillies, Kennedy has struggled offensively, accumulating just 157 plate appearances. He carries a career batting line of .193/.287/.296 in the majors but has had better success at the Triple-A level, where he has logged nearly 1,600 plate appearances and produced a .281 average with a .391 on-base percentage.
As the Phillies navigate the roster changes, Kennedy’s future remains uncertain. He could be traded or placed on waivers within the next five days. Should he clear waivers, he would have the option to opt for free agency instead of accepting a minor league assignment. This latest chapter exemplifies the challenges and decisions teams face in managing their rosters as the season progresses.