CINCINNATI – The Phillies announced before Monday night’s series opener against the Reds that first baseman Bryce Harper has been placed on the paternity list.
Harper had appeared in all but one of the team’s first 22 games. The Phillies arrived at Great American Ball Park on a six-game winning streak. In those games, Harper hit .381 with a 1.033 OPS including a double, a homer and 7 RBI.
Under the terms of the Basic Agreement, he can miss up to three days to be with his wife Kayla while she gives birth. Manager Rob Thomson said he expects Harper to be back in action to play in Thursday afternoon’s series finale. The couple has two previous children, son Krew and daughter Brooklyn.
To take Harper’s spot on the 26-man roster, infielder Kody Clemens has been recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
In 49 big league games for the Phillies in 2023, Clemens hit .230 with 11 extra base hits, including four home runs, and a .644 OPS. One of the highlights of his season was a two-out double in the ninth inning that gave the Phillies a walk-off victory over the Tigers on June 8.
In 16 games for the IronPigs this season, he hit .270 with three home runs and an .841 OPS.
“He swings the bat great,” Thomson said. Clemens started Monday night, but the manager hinted that Alec Bohm could move from third base to play first on Tuesday and Wednesday when the Phillies face lefthanders Andrew Abbott and Nick Lodolo.