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May 13 (UPI) -- Outfielder Bryce Harper, who homered in the Philadelphia Phillies' latest win, will stay in the batting order Friday and Saturday, but then miss time because of an injection in his injured elbow, manager Joe Girardi said. Girardi spoke about Harper, who sustained a small tear in his right ulnar collateral ligament, when he met with reporters before the Phillies beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-7 on Thursday in Los Angeles.
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Harper went 2 for 4 with a home run and three RBI as the Phillies' designated hitter.
Girardi said Harper will not be able to throw for four weeks. He will get a platelet-rich plasma injection Sunday and miss that day's series finale against the Dodgers. He also could miss games early next week against the San Diego Padres.
"I'm glad that I know and have some clarity on where it's going to go from here," Harper told reporters. "That's about it. I'll get the shot on Sunday, see how I feel the next couple of weeks and go from there."
Harper gave the Phillies a 1-0 lead with a 405-foot solo homer in the first inning of Thursday's win. The laser traveled 110 mph off his bat, hovered just 67 feet above the field and needed just 4.6 seconds to clear the right-field fence, according to Statcast.
Harper was initially diagnosed with an elbow strain and moved from the outfield April 17 to serve as the Phillies' designated hitter.
The reigning National League MVP hit .276 with seven home runs and 22 RBIs through his first 32 games this season. Harper hit .156 with a home run and seven RBIs in his first nine games, which included eight appearances in the designated hitter role.
He has a .319 batting average, with six home runs and 15 RBIs in his last 23 games as the Phillies' designated hitter.
The Phillies (15-17) battle the Dodgers (20-10) at 10:10 p.m. EDT Friday at Dodger Stadium.
