Philadelphia Phillies' star outfielder, Bryce Harper, was absent from Wednesday night's game against the Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park due to a bruised left hand. The injury occurred during Tuesday night's 10-1 victory over Los Angeles when Harper attempted to field a ground ball in the first inning. Prior to the game, Harper tested his hand in the batting cage but determined it was not fit for play.

Manager Rob Thomson confirmed that Harper had simply bruised his hand and did not provide a timeline for his return to the lineup. Harper's absence will be closely monitored as the Phillies approach the All-Star break, with his availability for upcoming games remaining uncertain.

In addition to Harper's injury, concerns arose regarding starting pitcher Zack Wheeler's condition. Following the fifth inning of Tuesday night's game, Wheeler exited due to "left lower back tightness," as stated by the team. Although Wheeler expressed minimal concern after the game, acknowledging his back had been bothering him in recent starts, the Phillies opted for caution and conducted an MRI examination on Wednesday.

Fortunately, the MRI results revealed no structural damage to Wheeler's back. However, he is still experiencing soreness and the team will handle his situation with utmost care. Wheeler's next scheduled start is set for Sunday afternoon against the A's, which will be the Phillies' final game before the All-Star break. A decision regarding his availability for that game is expected to be made on Thursday.

Manager Rob Thomson emphasized the team's cautious approach, stating they will not risk further injury to Wheeler. Given the opportunity to set the rotation as desired after the break, the Phillies may opt to provide Wheeler with additional rest to mitigate any potential risks to his back. Thomson expressed confidence in Wheeler's ability to overcome the setback, assuring it is only back spasms and that the pitcher has faced similar situations before.

As the Phillies monitor the recovery of both Harper and Wheeler, updates will be eagerly awaited by fans and the team alike. The health of these key players will play a vital role in the Phillies' pursuit of success in the upcoming games leading up to and following the All-Star break.