Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber made history on Tuesday night, setting a new single-season MLB record with his 14th leadoff home run. However, his record-breaking performance was cut short due to an elbow injury.
Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber etched his name into the MLB record books on Tuesday night, setting a new single-season record with his 14th leadoff home run. The historic feat came against the Tampa Bay Rays in the bottom of the first inning, as Schwarber sent a 1-0 fastball from Rays starter Taj Bradley 437 feet to center field.
The home run propelled the Phillies to an early 1-0 lead and moved Schwarber past Alfonso Soriano, who had held the previous record of 13 leadoff homers in 2003 with the New York Yankees. Schwarber's 35th homer of the season also marked the 45th leadoff homer of his career, with an impressive 32 coming since joining the Phillies in 2022.
Kyle Schwarber Sets MLB Home Run Record, Exits with Elbow Discomfort
However, Schwarber's record-breaking performance was cut short in the bottom of the third inning when he walked to lead off and appeared to injure his elbow diving back into first base on a pickoff attempt by Tampa Bay catcher Logan Driscoll. The injury forced Schwarber to exit the game, and he was replaced at designated hitter by Buddy Kennedy in the fourth.
Following the Phillies' 9-4 win, manager Rob Thomson revealed that Schwarber has a hyperextended left elbow, as reported by The Athletic's Matt Gelb. While the injury is not considered serious, Schwarber's status for Wednesday's game will depend on his recovery.
Schwarber's record-setting home run comes after a recent offensive surge, during which he has hit seven home runs in his last eight games. Notably, three of those home runs have come in his first at-bat of the game, highlighting his exceptional ability to set the tone for the Phillies' offense.
The 31-year-old Schwarber leads the Phillies in home runs and RBIs (95), serving as a crucial force in their bid for a playoff berth. Despite missing 10 days with a groin strain in early July, Schwarber has been a consistent presence in the Phillies' lineup, leading off in all 133 games he has started this season.
While Schwarber's elbow injury may raise some concerns, the Phillies will be hoping that he can recover quickly and continue his record-breaking season. With the Phillies currently battling for a playoff spot, Schwarber's contributions could prove vital in their quest for postseason success.
