Harper ‘really bruised' but will try to swing; Phillies rotation options originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Bryce Harper will try to swing a bat in the Phillies’ indoor cages Saturday afternoon for the first time since being hit on the right elbow by a 95 mph Spencer Strider fastball on Tuesday.

He’ll also try to throw. Harper took grounders on the field before Friday’s series opener against the Brewers but was limited to underhand flips to first base.

“It’s really bruised today, the bruising has started to come,” manager Rob Thomson said Saturday. “The swelling is down a little bit.”

Thomson reiterated that he still doesn’t think Harper will need time on the injured list. Saturday was the fourth straight game Harper has missed and it is unclear if he’ll be able to return to the lineup on Sunday. An IL stint can be backdated by a maximum of three days.

Still, Thomson said he doesn’t think the Phils will have to make a decision one way or another by Sunday. If Harper still isn’t ready then but the potential exists that he could play in Toronto Tuesday through Thursday, the Phillies could just play a man short on their bench for another game or two. It’s not ideal but neither would be IL-ing Harper and having him miss time on the back end unnecessarily.

Kyle Schwarber fielded grounders at first base on Friday. That wasn’t a coincidence.

“Every once in a while he does,” Thomson said. “He’s ramping it up a little bit because of the Harper situation, we don’t really know where we’re at with that.”

Schwarber last played first base in the 2021 postseason with the Red Sox, though he did spend 24 innings there this spring to better prepare him in case of a Harper injury.

No rotation news yet

Thomson had nothing to divulge about the Phillies’ rotation on Saturday but said an update would come Sunday.

Taijuan Walker allowed four runs in four innings in a loss Friday as right-hander Mick Abel continued his strong run at Triple A. Abel has a 1.08 ERA over his last seven starts, six at Triple A and one in the majors.

Optioned to Lehigh Valley on May 19, Abel is eligible to be called back up to the majors in time for his next start, if the Phillies so choose. The next time Walker’s rotation spot comes up is Thursday in Toronto but the Phillies could also push that start back to Saturday in Pittsburgh because of an off-day Monday.

Aaron Nola (right ankle sprain) is the other element in this equation. Nola will throw 45-to-50 pitches in a bullpen session Sunday. If it goes well, he could face hitters in live batting practice later in the week, potentially Friday. The step after that would be a rehab assignment, which might last only a start or two. Two more weeks seems realistic for Nola.

Walker will be shifted back to the bullpen for the duration of the season once Nola is ready to return. If the Phillies go with Abel the next turn through, they’d only be speeding up that transition by 1-2 starts.

There’s no guarantee Walker will work out as a reliever but the Phillies’ bullpen would welcome the boost. In two relief appearances this season, Walker has allowed two earned runs and five baserunners in six innings with nine strikeouts.

“My goal is to help any way I can,” Walker said Friday night. “I’m pretty confident in my stuff.

“If I have one inning to blow it out, whatever it is, I feel like my stuff would play up just a little bit more. Knowing that I’ve got one inning, just let it eat.”

The Mets continue a three-game series with the Rockies on Saturday at 4:10 p.m. on SNY.

Here's what to know about the game and how to watch...

Mets Notes

• Kodai Senga looks to continue his bounce-back season (5-3, 1.46 ERA) as he's allowed one or less runs in four of his last five starts
• Francisco Lindorslugged two homers in Friday's win to give him 11 HRs on the year -- tied for the team lead with Pete Alonso
• Brett Baty had a pinch-hit single on Friday night as he's now slashing .365/.462/.545 with eight hits over his last seven games

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Here's what happened in Mets Land on Friday, in case you missed it...

• Francisco Lindor's two home runs, clutch defense key Mets' 4-2 win over Rockies in Friday's series opener
• Juan Sotohopeful breaking hitless streak will spark offensive turnaround: "It's a matter of time"
• Lindor "clicking" after tone-setting home runs from both sides of the plate: "I've got to continue to work"
• Mets Mailbag: Is there a fix to team's struggles with runners in scoring position?
• When is the right time for Mets to call up Ronny Mauricio -- and where does he fit?
• Mets Injury Notes: Paul Blackburn joining six-man rotation; Sean Manaea, Frankie Montas "progressing well"
• Carlos Mendoza, David Stearnscontextualize Francisco Alvarez's struggles; Mauricio "hitting lasers"
• Prior to Friday's game, Stearns said he senses Soto's "frustration," doesn't see slump as confidence issue
• Mets recall RHP Chris Devenski, option LHP Brandon Waddell to Triple-A
• WATCH: Mets Prospects Highlights -- Drew Gilbert, Jacob Reimer
• WATCH: On The Mets Pod, the debate behind the plate: Francisco Alvarez or Luis Torrens?
• WATCH: Reacting to Mark Vientos' comments on Mets struggles with runners in scoring position

ESPN's "Around the Horn" is ending after a 23-year run that featured sportwriters from across the nation sharing their thoughts. The format sounded simple, but it is what made it a success. Real-life sportswriters, who many no longer read, expounding real-life opinions became a novelty. As for L.A. Times' writer Bill Plaschke, thank you for always having Los Angeles' back, as spoken by local WNBA legend Diana Taurasi.

Wayne Muramatsu
Cerritos

Bill Plaschke is proud of his time on "Around the Horn?" Twenty-three years of a smug, smarmy host, and a bunch of sportswriters desperate for sound bites and attention.

Another reason why ESPN and so-called sports commentary is currently unwatchable. He should apologize for reaching so low.

James L. Pearle
Corona del Mar

Great article by Bill Plaschke regarding "Around the Horn." However, contrary to his claim that he "always stunk," because there were four panelists on each show, Plaschke’s winning percentage of 24.3% is just about what one would expect. Even Woody Paige — the Cy Young of ATH — had a lower winning percentage. Bill, thanks for so eloquently representing the City of Angels.

Ken Feldman
Tarzana

Taylor-made treasure?

It's been said that one man's leftovers are another man's steak dinner. And that's all you need to know about the difference between the Dodgers organization and the Angels. Two days after the Dodgers released a washed-up Chris Taylor, he was starting in center field for the Angels. Nothing else needs to be said.

Bob Kargenian
Yorba Linda

Heavenly duo

As Bill Shaikin writes, Angels announcers Wayne Randazzo and Mark Gubicza are great. As a long-suffering Angels fan, its a pleasure to at least be able to listen to them. Randazzo is particularly excellent. He doesn’t overdo the chatter like most do, is bright, witty, knowledgeable and subtly tells truths about the woeful team he covers. He is the best since Dick Enberg, who was one of the greatest ever.

Alvin S. Michaelson
Marina Del Rey

Need more relief

Tanner Scott, a $72-million pitcher, has blown a third of his save opportunities this year. Eric Gagne, where are you?

Mike Schaller
Temple City

I got excited about the Dodgers adding another former All-Star, Alexis Díaz, to their ravaged pitching staff, even more so upon learning he began this season on the IL. Seems like a perfect fit.

Steve Ross
Carmel

Escape to Detroit

I think I know why Jack Flaherty left the Dodgers for Detroit in free agency: He didn't want to go on the IL.

Rhys Thomas
Valley Glen

Resist temptation

The new flood of name, image and likeness money (NIL) is indeed sending high school sports into a “black hole” of misplaced priorities, as Eric Sondheimer’s column pointed out. The L.A. Times should do its part to resist this trend by ceasing coverage of sports at that vulnerable level.

Patrick Frank
Venice

Battle of the exes

Former Lakers Alex Caruso, Julius Randle and Josh Hart all had deep runs in the 2025 playoffs. Next season, while the Lakers are on vacation, are we going to see Austin Reaves in the playoffs wearing another team’s uniform because the Lakers traded him while coddling an aged star?

I sure hope not.

Paul D. Ventura
Mission Viejo

Still streaking

The defending champion L.A. Galaxy have started the MLS season with a 16-game winless streak?

Bill Plaschke must have picked them to repeat as champions.

John Schiermeier
Valencia

The Los Angeles Times welcomes expressions of all views. Letters should be brief and become the property of The Times. They may be edited and republished in any format. Each must include a valid mailing address and telephone number. Pseudonyms will not be used.

Email: sports@latimes.com

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

They don’t know what their rotation will look like in October, and they don’t know how worn down their bullpen will look like.

What the Dodgers know is this: They have Shohei Ohtani.

Ohtani will give them a chance in October regardless of what their roster looks like, just as he did on Friday night in an 8-5 victory over the New York Yankees.

How can a player who takes four or five at-bats on most nights have such an oversized influence on games? How can a player who bats once only two or three innings bring opponents to their knees? How can a three-time MVP be a better offensive player than he was in his historic 50-homer, 50-steal season last year?

Shohei from every angle. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/NYY8AMar3u

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 31, 2025

“I have no words for it,” outfielder Michael Conforto said.

When Aaron Judge homered in the top of the first, Ohtani answered with a homer of his own in the bottom half of the inning.

When the Dodgers were down by three runs, Ohtani led off the sixth inning with another homer, this one making Yankees starter Max Fried strike the Kershaw Pose, back to the plate, hands on knees, head down. The blast one ignited a four-run surge by the Dodgers that produced their first lead of the night.

This was on a night in which Mookie Betts was sidelined with a broken toe, Evan Phillips was ruled out for the remainder of the season because of an upcoming elbow reconstruction, and the Dodgers had no choice but to start the unreliable Tony Gonsolin because three pitchers of their opening-day rotation were on the injured list.

Playing with a diminished roster, manager Dave Roberts did what he could before the game to downplay the significance of the World Series rematch against the Yankees, but Ohtani recognized the contest for what it was.

This was a statement game, and Ohtani made a statement.

“We try to win each and every game, of course, but I think it’s a special atmosphere [against the Yankees,]” Ohtani said in Japanese. “I think it was huge to have taken the [first game] of the series.”

The homers were Ohtani’s 14th and 15th of May, which tied a single-month franchise record previously shared by only Pedro Guerrero and Duke Snider. The homers were Ohtani’s 21st and 22nd of the season, meaning Ohtani is on pace for a career-high 63 bombs.

The value of Ohtani’s homers extend beyond the numbers, however.

They inspire awe.

Read more:Shohei Ohtani homers twice and Dodgers pull off another comeback against Yankees

“You don’t want to miss any of his at-bats,” Conforto said. “You want to be in the dugout. You want to see it in person. That’s kind of what it is being his teammate. You want to be there.”

They inspire confidence.

“Every time he comes up to the plate, we’re expecting something awesome to happen,” Gonsolin said. “And he doesn’t let us down a lot of the time. Really cool to have someone like that on our team.”

They inspire a contagious form of courage.

“He would probably say it’s like any other game, but I do think when you see the reigning MVP [Judge] on the other side going out there and performing, that brings out even more of a competitor in Shohei,” Roberts said.

They inspire victories — the Dodgers are 14-6 when Ohtani homers.

Read more:Mookie Betts dealing with fractured toe, won't start against Yankees this weekend

“We always seem to play really well when Shohei’s playing well,” first baseman Freddie Freeman said. “I heard the chants for MVP and he’s really well on his way to doing that again.”

This is what the Dodgers will need in October, especially in a season in which little has gone according to plan. At this point, they can’t count on Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow to both be healthy for the remainder of the year. They can’t expect their bullpen to be as spectacular as it was last year. But they can rely on Ohtani to make up for their shortcomings.

He will soon be able to affect the game from the mound, as the Dodgers expect him to return to pitching after the All-Star break. Rather than revel in the victory Friday night, Ohtani said in an on-field postgame interview with Apple TV that he was already looking ahead to his next day’s assignment.

“Live bullpen is scheduled for tomorrow,” Ohtani said. “The game is over now and I’d like to get my body in order for the live BP.”

Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.