Bryce Harper Expects to Return from Elbow Injury vs. Blue Jays after 5 Missed Games

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper says he is expecting to return Tuesday from an elbow injury that sidelined him for the past five games, per The Athletic's Matt Gelb.

Harper’s projected return comes as the Phillies head to Toronto to face the Blue Jays.

In other roster moves, top pitching prospect Mick Abel is set to start Thursday, while Taijuan Walker will shift to the bullpen in a one-inning reliever role, per Gelb.

Harper was diagnosed with a bruised right elbow after taking a 95.3 mph fastball to the arm from Atlanta’s Spencer Strider. Further evaluation brought relief for the Phillies, as X-rays came back negative.

Harper was hit at his first at-bat and the Phillies went on to win 2-0.

A big change will be coming to Harper's approach at the plate heading forward with plans to wear an elbow guard at the plate, On Pattison's Tim Kelly.

"I think that's where teams try to go against me," Harper said. "It's a bummer just because guys throw so hard now, but that's where guys go. I understand throwing inside, I totally get that, I'm all for it in baseball. But, just control. Guys throw a little too hard now to do that, up and in, things like that."

"I'm not going to back off the plate, I've always kind of been on top of the plate," Harper continues. "Like I said, I totally understand throwing inside, it's just a little scarier nowadays since guys throw harder. So wearing a brace, wearing an arm guard, it helps a little bit."

Before his injury, Harper was batting .267 average with eight home runs, 33 RBI and .825 OPS in 54 games.