Phillies' Bryce Harper leaves game with bruised elbow when hit by pitch, X-ray negative

Bryce Harper took a knee and grasped his right arm —- the Phillies’ star slugger’s elbow was bruised, more than 40,000 Phillies fans stomachs were in knots — and the worst was feared as he took off for the tunnel.

"Whenever your top hitters, or your best hitter, gets hit like that," Phillies manager Rob Thomson said, "there’s always some concern."

Concern, yes. Just likely not a long-term one for the best team in the major leagues.

Harper left Tuesday night’s 2-0 win over Atlanta in the first inning after he was hit near the right elbow by a 95.3 mph fastball from Braves starter Spencer Strider.

Harper sustained a bruise, and an X-ray was negative, the Phillies said.

A two-time NL MVP, Harper took a few steps from home plate, dropped to a knee and gripped his arm in pain. Phillies athletic trainers came out to check on Harper, and the first baseman — who wasn’t wearing an elbow guard — headed to the clubhouse.

"I’m not a complete sociopath, so I have some empathy," Strider said. "I do feel bad for him, to see a person in pain that I caused."

Thomson said Harper was in a lot of pain after he was hit and will be evaluated again Wednesday morning.

"He’s a tough guy, too," Thomson said.

Bryce Harper is hit in the elbow by a pitch during the first inning of the game against the Atlanta Braves.

Strider was voraciously booed by Phillies fans when he left the mound as the inning ended and the jeers grew even louder when he trudged off the mound after 4 2/3 innings.

"Certainly not trying to hit him," Strider said. "I thought in the moment, I just assumed he had a guard on and was just pissed that I hit him. Saw him in pain. That was tough. I’m definitely relieved he’s OK. He’s one of the best players this century. He needs to be