Oct 6, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pinch hitter Harrison Bader (2) hits a single against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the ninth inning during game two of the NLDS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
LOS ANGELES - Harrison Bader had a chance for his own Kirk Gibson moment.
He stepped to the plate as the winning run in the bottom of the ninth of Game 2. Hobbled by a injury that has been reported both as a hamstring and a groin (he'll clarify it later in this story), Bader didn't hit that iconic homer that would allow him to pump his fist as he hobbled around the bases.
But he did get a single. He jogged awkwardly to first base. Celebrated like a rock star, and then was lifted for a pinch runner. Job well done.
A day later, he said he's feeling better. Rob Thomson called him a game-time decision.
Bader even indicated that he's putting in a lot of time and energy to try and get back. He talked optimistically to reporters.
Then, he went out on the field. He simulated making a turn, as if he was running a bag or taking a route to a fly ball. It didn't last long.
Afterwards, there was a pow wow on the Dodger Stadium grass between Bader, the training staff, Thomson and Dave Dombrowski. That conversation lasted a lot longer than the running.
However it ended, Bader was all smiles, fist bumped both Thomson and Dombrowski and then went back into the clubhouse.
It's unlikely a decision was made in the moment, but it's hard to imagine him in the lineup if he can't run full out.
And the notion of possibly using him as a DH and putting Kyle Schwarber in left field was dispelled by Thomson.
"He's still got to run (as a DH)," Thomson said. "So if he can run, he's going to play centerfield."
Harrison Bader with the SMOOTH grab to rob Andy Pages of a hit 😤pic.twitter.com/yxzg8u9Rgn
For his part, Bader is champing at the bit to play.
"It's better than yesterday, so I'm going to take it day-by-day," he said. "I'm certainly optimistic about doing my best to see what I can bring to the lineup ... on all sides of the ball. Hopefully I can match what they need me to be out there and come through.
"It's playoffs and I give whatever I can to help the team. Hopefully I can do more tomorrow because it really bothered me not being out there with these guys. So I'll do my best to be out there and be effective."
Harrison Bader: gets hit by pitch
Alec Bohm & Brandon Marsh: WHAT A GIFT🙏
(via @aokstott)pic.twitter.com/QPesgxNYYv
Bader clarified that the injury is actually to his hamstring, as originally reported, and not his groin, which the team changed it to a day later.
"It's the medial side of my hamstring," Bader said.
He added that he's doing a lot of prep work getting it worked on to try and get it right and ready to play as much as he can.
"I just want to build up accordingly because I kind of have only one shot at it," Bader said. "You don't want to skip any steps. It takes time but luckily I have all the time in the world to prepare for it."
He was referring to all day Tuesday and the morning and afternoon on Wednesday.
Although if things go south again for the Phillies in Game 3, he will truly have all the time in the world to get healthy before he has to play baseball again.
