Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper has small tear in UCL, can't throw for four weeks

Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper, limited to designated hitter duty of late, has a small tear in his right UCL, will get a PRP injection and will not throw a baseball for four weeks, manager Joe Girardi told reporters Thursday.

Girardi said Dr. Neal ElAttrache of Kerlan-Jobe in Los Angeles confirmed the tear during Harper's visit on Thursday morning.

Harper, who will miss games Sunday and possibly Tuesday after getting the injection, will start a throwing program after the four weeks is up, Girardi said. He can continue to swing a bat, and Girardi expects to utilize him at DH.

The reigning NL MVP is hitting .29 with six home runs and 19 RBIs this season.

«I miss playing,» Harper, who has only played right field in eight of the 31 games in which he's appeared this season, told reporters. «I miss being out there with my team and playing on the field. It's been tough. I want to get back out there. I want to help this team on both sides of the ball. I miss playing right [field].»