Surgery for Phillies OF Bryce Harper's thumb not thought to be season-ending

After he was hit in the thumb by a pitch from Blake Snell in Philadelphia’s 4-2 victory over the San Diego Padres on Saturday night, Phillies slugger and reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper's season appeared in jeopardy. The 97-mph fastball resulted in a thumb fracture, sidelining him indefinitely, the team reported that night.

According to NBC Sports Philadelphia's Jim Salisbury, the thumb will require surgery. However, there is optimism that Harper will return after a recovery time of about six weeks. Harper was scheduled to meet with specialists in Philadelphia early this week but no surgery time is yet set.

The Phillies officially placed Harper on the 10-day injured list on Sunday. Triple-A Lehigh Valley outfielder Mickey Moniak took his place on the roster.

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The reigning NL MVP, who missed only a few games last year when he was hit in the face by a fastball from St. Louis’ Genesis Cabrera, checked his swing as the Snell fastball rode inside and high toward his shoulder before hitting him on the outside of the left hand in the fourth inning.

Harper recalls the pitch flying toward his face, then quickly turning his head and raising his left hand to protect himself.

"I kind of wish it hit me in the face," said Harper, who is wearing a splint on his thumb. "I don’t break bones in my face. I think I can take 98 (mph) to the face, but not 97 to the thumb. Yeah, I was kind of in protection mode a little bit trying to get my hand up there and not let it hit me again.

"It’s just a bummer. I am really bummed out."

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Phillies' Bryce Harper's thumb surgery not thought to be season-ending