Phillies' Harper goes on paternity leave

Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper was placed on the paternity list prior to Friday's road game against the Miami Marlins. Harper was in Philadelphia, where his wife Kayla was scheduled to give birth to the couple's son.

The Harpers announced in April that they were expecting a boy. Harper, 26, can miss up to three games while on paternity leave.

Harper, who signed a 13-year, $330 million deal with the Phillies last offseason, is batting .254 with 27 homers and 92 RBIs in 125 games. Philadelphia recalled infielder Maikel Franco from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Franco was demoted in early August after batting .231 with 15 homers and 47 RBIs in 102 games.

Franco topped 20 homers in each of the three previous seasons.