Bryce Harper Crushes HR in Return Game From Paternity Leave Yet Again

Madison Williams | Apr 25, 2024

Apr 25, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (3) hits a home run vs. the Cincinnati Reds. / Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper returned to the lineup with a bang in Thursday's game vs. the Cincinnati Reds after missing the first three games of the series for parental leave.

In the top of the third inning on Thursday, Harper smashed a 384-foot home run off of Reds pitcher Nick Martinez. It seemed like no time had passed since he last played on Sunday.

Coincidentally, Harper has done this before. After the couple had their first child five years ago, Harper hit a home run in his first game coming back from his paternity leave.

Bryce Harper hit a home run in his first game back from the Paternity List.

He did the same thing 5 years ago after the birth of his first child! pic.twitter.com/9BAuCYm2Vq

— MLB (@MLB) April 25, 2024

Harper's wife Kayla was due to give birth to the couple's third child this week, so Harper missed three games to be with her. The announcers on Thursday stated that the couple's third child born this week was a baby girl.

Harper later singled in the fifth inning of the Phillies' 5–0 win. The Phillies and Reds split the series 2–2.