UNDATED (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies have placed reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper on the 10-day injured list with a broken left thumb. Former No. 1 overall draft pick Mickey Moniak was recalled from Triple-A to take Harper’s roster spot. Harper’s thumb was broken when he was hit by a 97 mph pitch from San Diego Padres left-hander Blake Snell on Saturday night. There is no timetable for his return. Harper is hitting .318 with 15 home runs, 48 RBIs and a .985 OPS, and has helped the Phillies recently surge back into playoff contention.
In other MLB news:
— Ronald Acuña Jr. was not starting in the Atlanta Braves’ game against the Los Angeles Dodgers after fouling a ball off his left foot in Saturday night’s game. The star outfielder moved around the Braves clubhouse Sunday afternoon with his left knee on a medical scooter to keep his foot elevated. Tests showed no fracture but Acuña said he couldn’t put pressure on his foot. Acuña was not wearing a protective boot. The Braves are off on Monday, giving Acuña two days to rest.
— Former Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel (KY’-kul) was called up by the Arizona Diamondbacks from the minors to start against the Detroit Tigers. The 34-year-old was designated for assignment by the Chicago White Sox on May 28. The Diamondbacks signed him to a minor league deal on June 6 and will be responsible for $396,154 of his $18 million salary. Keuchel started two games in the Arizona Complex League for the Diamondbacks, allowing six runs while striking out 17 and walking two in 12 innings. Keuchel was 2-5 with a 7.88 ERA for the White Sox.
— Tampa Bay shortstop Wander Franco has been reinstated from the 10-day injured list after missing 23 games with a right quadriceps strain. The 21-year old was listed as the No. 2 hitter in Sunday’s lineup against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Franco was hitting .270 with nine homers and 19 RBIs in 45 games when he went on the IL. Tampa Bay went 11-12 during his absence. To make room on the roster, infielder Jonathan Aranda was optioned to Triple-A Durham.
— The Houston Astros have activated rookie shortstop Jeremy Peña from the injured list and optioned outfielder Chas McCormick to Triple-A Sugar Land. Star slugger Yordan Alvarez was out of the lineup Sunday with an ongoing hand issue as Houston tried to win its four-game series against the major league-leading New York Yankees. The 24-year-old Peña is a leading candidate for AL Rookie of the Year but hasn’t played since June 13, when he injured his left thumb diving for a catch.
— Plate umpire Mike Muchlinski left Sunday’s game between the Houston Astros and New York Yankees two innings after taking a foul ball off his mask. Houston’s Michael Brantley tipped Nestor Cortes’ 92 mph fastball straight back into Muchlinski on the second pitch of the game on a hot, sunny day in the Bronx. Muchlinski staggered and was grabbed by catcher Jose Trevino, who helped the umpire steady himself. Muchlinski remained in the game but met with a trainer after the top of the third inning and was escorted off the field.
