Philadelphia Phillies: Bryce Harper placed on Paternity List
By Matthew C
Looks like baby Harper is on the way! The Philadelphia Phillies have placed superstar Bryce Harper on the paternity list.
Oh baby! Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper, who signed a 13-year $330MM contract this offseason, has been placed on the paternity list as his wife Kayla Harper gives birth to their baby boy. Harper can miss a maximum of three games.
The Phillies are in Miami this weekend and begin a three-game series tonight and Harper did not travel with the team. In a corresponding move, Philadelphia recalled third baseman Maikel Franco from Triple-A. Lehigh Valley.
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Franco, who was sent down to the minors amid batting struggles, gets another shot at the big league roster. In September, the roster expands to 40-man which means Maikel Franco will more likely remain with the team instead of being optioned back down when Bryce Harper returns.
Harper will not miss any key games for the Phillies while he is away with Baby Harper – instead he’ll just miss a three-game series with the worst team in the National League East. This series could potentially be big for the Phillies as they’re tied with New York Mets for third place in the National League East. He should return with the club when the Phillies head back home to Citizens Bank Park when the Pirates are in town.
Before being sent down, Maikel Franco was batting .231 with fifteen home runs and struck out forty-nine times. In terms of defense, he committed six errors in 91 games played at third base this season.
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There was major controversy and confusion amongst Philadelphia Phillies fans when Maikel Franco, once seen as the best 8-hole hitter after having a great first half, was sent down to the minors. The move became before Charlie Manuel was hired as the team’s hitting coach and perhaps a new hitting coach could get Maikel Franco back on track.