Was Bryce Harper just ... kissing back? - MLB

The plot — which was already kind of thin to begin with, even if it was fun — has thickened. CSN Washington reports that it’s possible that when Bryce Harper blew that kiss at the pitcher the other day, he was merely returning the favor from an earlier incident. As reported first by the Hagerstown Herald-Mail:

“Monday’s drama started in the first inning when Neal struck out Harper on a borderline call Harper didn’t care for to end the first inning. Some observers said Tuesday that the groundwork for the incident started there, with Neal sending a kiss in Harper’s direction after the whiff.”

In other words, this whole affair may be less about the unwritten rules and professional deportment than it is about the hot, simmering desire between Harper and the opposing pitchers of the Sally League. Which frankly, is a way better story if you ask me.

Now, let us relive the passion:

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PITTSBURGH — The New York Mets will have to dig out of an early-season hole without star first baseman Pete Alonso.

The leading home run hitter in the majors will miss three-to-four weeks with a bone bruise and a sprain in his left wrist.

The Mets placed Alonso on the 10-day injured list Friday, retroactive to June 8. Alonso was hit in the wrist by a 96 mph fastball from Charlie Morton in the first inning of a 7-5 loss to Atlanta on Wednesday.

Alonso traveled to New York for testing on Thursday. X-rays revealed no broken bones, but the Mets will be missing one of the premier power hitters in the game as they try to work their way back into contention in the NL East.

“We got better news than it could have been,” New York manager Buck Showalter said. “So we take that as a positive. It could have been worse.”

New York had lost six straight heading into a three-game series at Pittsburgh that began Friday. Mark Canha started at first for the Mets in the opener. Mark Vientos could also be an option, though Showalter said the coaching staff may have to use its “imagination” in thinking of ways to get by without Alonso.

“I’m not going to say someone has to step up and all that stuff,” Showalter said. “You’ve just got to be who you are.”

Even with Alonso in the lineup, the Mets have struggled to score consistently. New York is 16th in the majors in runs scored.

The team also said Friday that reliever Edwin Uceta had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. Uceta initially went on the IL in April with what the team called a sprained left ankle. He is expected to be out for at least an additional eight weeks.

New York recalled infielder Luis Guillorme and left-handed reliever Zach Muckenhirn from Triple-A Syracuse. The Mets sent catcher Tomás Nido to Triple-A and designated reliever Stephen Nogosek for assignment.

Nogosek is 0-1 with a 5.63 ERA in 13 games this season.

Was Bryce Harper just … kissing back?

MLB homer leader Pete Alonso to IL with bone bruise, sprain in wrist