Bryce Harper Fractures Left Thumb: Bryce Harper's season is in peril after suffering a broken thumb in Saturday's game against the Padres

In the fourth inning, facing Blake Snell, Harper tried to duck to avoid a 97 mph fastball that soared up and on

The pitch still smacked Harper in the left hand, causing significant discomfort

Harper exited the game immediately, and the Phillies confirmed that preliminary examinations indicated the fracture shortly after

As a result, Dombrowski is optimistic about Harper's comeback, saying that he's "hopeful he'll be back at some time."

If surgery is necessary, Harper may be forced to miss the rest of the 2022 campaign

While each injury is unique, Jean Segura, the Philadelphia second baseman who sustained a broken finger in late May and had to undergo surgery, was given a rehabilitation timeframe of 10-12 weeks

Losing Segura was devastating for the Phillies, but they bounced back to have their most significant month of the season

The Phillies were 22-29 under former manager Joe Girardi, but after Girardi was sacked, Rob Thomson was promoted from bench coach to temporary manager

As a manager, the Phillies went on a 15-6 run in Thomson's first 21 games

That surge pushed the Phillies back above.500 (37-35), heading into tonight's game, leaving them three games short of an NL wild-card spot

However, it is difficult to see Philadelphia in the race without Harper's contributions to an unimpressive lineup

With Harper and Segura out, the only regulars batting well above average are Kyle Schwarber and Rhys Hoskins