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 with a 6-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 back in time to play in Thursday afternoon’s series finale. The couple has two previous children, son Krew and daughter Brooklyn.
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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 batted .230 with 11 extra-base hits, including four homers, 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 win over the Tigers on June 8.
In 16 games for the IronPigs this season, he was hitting .270 with three homers and an .841 OPS.
“He’s swinging the bat great,” Thomson said. Clemens started Monday night, but the manager hinted that Alec Bohm could move over from third base to play first on Tuesday and Wednesday when the Phillies face lefthanders Andrew Abbott and Nick Lodolo.
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Clemens made an immediate impact. He doubled in fourth and then belted a 3-run homer in the ninth to seal the Phillies 7-0 win.