Bryce Harper lands on injured list in brutal Phillies blow

Philly’s best has taken a hit.The Phillies placed Bryce Harper on the 10-day injured list due to his ailing right wrist before Saturday’s game against the Pirates.This came after the two-time National League MVP sat out of the Phillies’ 5-4 loss to Pittsburgh on Friday night.In a corresponding move, the team called up Otto Kemp, who is their No.24 prospect on MLB Pipeline, from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.With Harper, the team’s primary first baseman, out, the Phillies are expected to play third baseman Alec Bohm at first.On May 27, Harper was drilled in the right elbow on a pitch from Braves starter Spencer Strider — missing five games — and has also been dealing with a sore wrist.

He went 1-for-11 upon returning from the elbow issue before landing on the IL.This wrist issue isn’t exactly new, as the eight-time All-Star also was dealing with right wrist pain for a lot of last year and played through it.The Phillies are hopeful that any long-term damage can be prevented with the extra rest.This season, Harper is hitting .258 with nine home runs, 34 RBIs and eight stolen bases in 57 games.The Phillies have dropped seven of their last eight games, losing a two-game lead in the NL East to the Mets, who now hold a 2 1/2 game edge in the division entering Saturday’s play.Kemp, who has yet to play in the majors, has hit .317 with 14 home runs and 55 RBIs in 57 games in Triple-A.His 14 home runs have led the International League, while his 1.010 OPS ranked second.He was also the International League Player of the Month for April.The Phillies also called up pitcher Daniel Robert from Lehigh Valley and optioned righty Alan Rangel in exchange.

Rangel made his major league debut on Friday and gave up two runs in three innings of relief.It will be Robert’s third stint with the Phillies this season....