PHILADELPHIA — This does not change Bryce Harper’s timeline to rejoin the Phillies.
But the Phillies on Thursday claimed outfielder Bradley Zimmer off waivers from the Blue Jays as Brandon Marsh was placed on the 10-day injured list due to a sprained left ankle. To make room for Zimmer on the 40-man roster, the Phillies transferred Harper to the 60-day IL. Harper has been targeting a return around Sept. 1. His move to the 60-day IL makes him eligible to be activated Aug. 25.
So, nothing with Harper has changed.
Marsh sprained the ankle and also suffered a bone bruise in his left knee on Tuesday in Cincinnati, where he landed awkwardly on the warning track when he tried to make a leaping catch.
Zimmer, 29, is known as a solid defender. He gives the Phillies more depth in the outfield while Marsh recovers and left fielder Kyle Schwarber works his way back from a strained right calf. Schwarber hopes to start Friday night against the Mets at Citizens Bank Park, but as the designated hitter.
Zimmer slashed .105/.209/.237 in 87 plate appearances this season with Toronto. He has slashed .214/.301/.337 in parts of six seasons with Cleveland and Toronto.