Deadspin | Phillies hope for Bryce Harper's return as they tackle hot Blue Jays

May 24, 2025; West Sacramento, California, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (3) slides into home on a double hit by Nick Castellanos (8) against the Athletics during the first inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images

Bryce Harper is expected to return to the Philadelphia Phillies’ lineup Tuesday night when the club brings a four-game losing streak into their series opener against the host Toronto Blue Jays.

The Phillies are 1-4 without Harper, who suffered a bruised right elbow on May 27 when he was hit by a pitch in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves.

Harper had a workout on Sunday before the game but did not play in the Phillies’ 5-2 loss to the visiting Milwaukee Brewers, who swept the three-game series. The first baseman is aiming for a return on Tuesday.

“He’s such an impact player and such a good offensive player, and even when he’s not going well, he’s walking, he’s making it tough on guys,” Phillies shortstop Trea Turner said.

Harper has had success against the Blue Jays, slashing .327/.409/.564 with six home runs and 15 RBIs in 28 career games against them. He has three home runs in 10 games at Rogers Centre.

Toronto is on a season-best five-game winning streak after an 8-4 victory on Sunday to complete a four-game home sweep against the pitching-deprived Athletics. The A’s have lost 17 of their past 18.

“A four-game sweep is really, really hard to do, no matter what,” Toronto manager John Schneider said.

Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler was initially slated to start the opener but stayed behind in Philadelphia for the upcoming birth of his child. Left-hander Cristopher Sanchez (4-1, 3.32 ERA) will start in his place and oppose Toronto right-hander Bowden Francis (2-6, 5.04) to begin the three-game series.

Sanchez has received no-decisions in four straight starts. In his last turn, he gave up two runs and seven hits over 5 2/3 innings against the Braves last Thursday.

Sanchez, 28, is 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA in two career outings against the Blue Jays.

Francis, 29, is 0-4 over his last seven outings. He received a no-decision in his last turn on Tuesday when he gave up three hits in five scoreless innings against the Texas Rangers.

Francis is 0-1 with a 5.14 ERA in two career games (one start) against the Phillies, who have dropped into second place in the NL East behind the New York Mets and are vowing to be better.

“Not only do we have to play better, but I have to manage better,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said.

The Phillies are planning a bullpen change, starting in Toronto.

Former Blue Jay Taijuan Walker will be moved into the bullpen with right-hander Mick Abel to be recalled to start against Toronto on Wednesday. Walker had been starting in injured Aaron Nola’s spot in the rotation.

“I think Tai’s got a chance to make us a lot better coming out of the pen,” Thomson said.

The Blue Jays scored 39 runs against the Athletics, with several players joining the feast. Addison Barger keyed a six-run eighth on Sunday with his third homer in as many games, a three-run blast.

Ernie Clement was 11-for-18 (.611) in the series with four doubles, two homers and six RBIs.

The question remains if an offense that struggled only a week before can sustain the recent surge.

“The offense in this series was the best I’ve seen in a while here,” Schneider said. “If you can bottle that, it would be great.”

Toronto second baseman Andres Gimenez (quadriceps strain) could return from the IL on Tuesday. He last played for the Blue Jays on May 7.

–Field Level Media