Sophie Bennett
In April 2021, Génesis Cabrera, the Cardinals pitcher, accidentally hit Bryce Harper in the cheek and nose with a 97 mph sinker. Harper was ruled out of Thursday’s games but avoided serious injury. In a surprising turn of events, Harper reached out to Cabrera with an empathetic message, offering support and assuring him that he knew the pitch was unintentional. Harper's gesture was widely praised, with many expressing respect for his handling of the situation. Génesis Cabrera is the chick who hit on Bryce Harper, and their interaction showcased a unique display of sportsmanship and empathy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Génesis Cabrera |
| Occupation | Cardinals pitcher |
| Gender | Female |
| Interaction with Harper | Hit him in the cheek and nose with a 97 mph sinker during a game |
| Harper's response | Remained calm, walked off the field on his own, and reached out to Cabrera with an empathetic message |
| Cabrera's response | Apologized to Harper and wished him a speedy recovery |
| Harper's injury impact | Ruled out of Thursday's games following the incident |
| Personal life | Married to Kayla Varner since 2016 and has four children |
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What You'll Learn
Kayla Varner, Harper's wife
Kayla Varner, now Kayla Harper, is the wife of Bryce Harper, the Philadelphia Phillies right fielder. The couple have been married since 2016 and are high school sweethearts. They have three children together: a son, Krew Aron, born in 2019, a daughter, Brooklyn Elizabeth, born in 2020, and a third child born in 2024. They are also parents to a Maltese-Yorkshire terrier named Wrigley.
Kayla is a soccer player who attended Brigham Young University before transferring to The Ohio State University. She and Bryce navigated a long-distance relationship, with him graduating early from high school to attend the College of Southern Nevada and pursue a career in baseball. They got engaged in 2014 and were set to wed in 2015, but the wedding was called off. They reconciled in 2016 and exchanged vows that December.
Kayla has been by Bryce's side throughout his baseball career. She frequently attends his games with their children and often posts photos on Instagram of them cheering him on. Kayla has also used her platform to defend her husband against criticism, tweeting about the importance of keeping family out of heckling chants.
Bryce Harper is a well-known baseball player who started his career with the Washington Nationals after being the No. 1 pick in the 2010 MLB draft. He has achieved numerous accolades, including being named the National League Rookie of the Year in 2012 and the National League Most Valuable Player in 2021. In 2019, he signed a $330 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.
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Genesis Cabrera, the pitcher who hit him
Génesis Cabrera, pronounced "YEN-e-sis", is a pitcher who played for the St. Louis Cardinals, a team in the Major League Baseball (MLB). He was born on October 10, 1996, in Santo Domingo, Distrito Nacional, and is 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) tall. He weighed 180 lbs (81 kg) when he was last measured.
Cabrera was first traded to the Cardinals from the Rays in 2018, along with Justin Williams and Roel Ramirez, in exchange for Tommy Pham. He was then assigned to the Springfield Cardinals before being promoted to the Memphis Redbirds for the playoffs. Cabrera was promoted to the major leagues for the first time on May 29, 2019, making his debut against the Philadelphia Phillies. He gave up five runs, three of which were earned, over 3+2⁄3 innings, striking out five and walking two.
In 2020, he changed his uniform number from 61 to 92, becoming the first player in Major League History to wear the number 92. Cabrera was a key member of the Cardinals' bullpen in 2021, appearing in 71 games with a 3.73 ERA and 77 strikeouts over 70 innings. He was suspended for one game in 2022 after hitting J.D. Davis of the New York Mets with a pitch, sparking a conflict between the teams.
On July 18, 2023, Cabrera was designated for assignment following the signing of Ryan Tepera, and was subsequently traded to the Toronto Blue Jays. He made 29 appearances for the Blue Jays, logging a 2.66 ERA and 20 strikeouts over 23+2⁄3 innings pitched. On November 4, he was removed from the 40-man roster and sent to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, but he rejected this assignment and became a free agent.
In the 2025 season, Cabrera signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets and was added to their active roster on May 1, 2025. He made six appearances for the Mets, recording a 3.52 ERA and seven strikeouts across 7+2⁄3 innings. He was designated for assignment by the Mets on May 24 and subsequently signed with the Chicago Cubs on May 29, 2025. Cabrera has played for a total of five teams throughout his career, including the Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, and Toronto Blue Jays.
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Harper's calm reaction to being hit
In April 2021, Phillies star right fielder Bryce Harper was hit in the cheek and nose by a 97 mph sinker from Génesis Cabrera, a Cardinals pitcher, during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals. Despite the potentially serious nature of the incident, Harper remained remarkably calm throughout. He walked off the field unassisted and even took to Instagram to update his fans on his condition. Harper's demeanour was such that, according to one commentator, "if you saw his post without watching the game, you would be shocked to find out a pitch that nearly topped triple digits pelted him in the face".
Following the incident, Harper reached out to Cabrera with an empathetic text message, expressing his awareness that the pitch was unintentional and offering support to Cabrera if he needed to talk. This gesture was widely praised, with one commentator noting that Harper's message was "completely a class act" and that it demonstrated his empathy for the pitcher who hit him. Cabrera apologised to Harper in a postgame news conference, wishing him a speedy recovery and expressing his hope for Harper's return to baseball activities.
Harper's calm and empathetic response to being hit by a pitch reflects his character and sportsmanship. Despite the potential for serious injury, he maintained his composure and even took the initiative to offer support to the pitcher involved. This incident showcases Harper's ability to handle challenging situations with grace and maturity, earning him respect both as a player and as a person.
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Cabrera's postgame apology
Génesis Cabrera, the Cardinals pitcher, apologized for hitting Bryce Harper with a 97-mph fastball during a game against the Phillies on Wednesday night. Harper was hit in the face, suffering a cut near his eye, and was taken to a hospital in St. Louis for evaluation.
Cabrera, who was pitching inside, said that the pitch slipped away from him and that he never intended for it to hit Harper. He expressed remorse for his actions and wished Harper a speedy recovery, hoping that he would be able to return to baseball activity soon.
"I want to again apologize for all the actions that happened, especially to Harper," Cabrera said. "I really wish him the best and hope he has a speedy recovery and will be able to come back to baseball activity. The game got away from me at that point, and I’m really sorry for everything that happened today. None of it was intentional."
Cabrera's manager, Mike Shildt, also expressed his understanding of the situation and stated that he would have removed Cabrera from the game if it were up to him. However, Major League Baseball rules state that each pitcher must face at least three batters. Shildt acknowledged that Cabrera was throwing to one of the game's superstars and wanted to give his best performance. He also mentioned that their dugout went out to check on Harper, and they could see that Cabrera felt terrible about the incident.
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Harper's empathetic response
In April 2021, Bryce Harper was hit in the cheek and nose by a 97 mph sinker from Génesis Cabrera, a Cardinals pitcher, during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals. Despite the seriousness of the incident, Harper remained calm and even updated his fans via Instagram, reassuring them that he was okay. Harper's calm demeanor was noted, and he was praised for his empathetic response to Cabrera, who had been the one to hit him.
Harper reached out to Cabrera with an empathetic text message following the game. He wanted to assure Cabrera that he knew the pitch was unintentional and that he was willing to talk and support Cabrera's mental health in the aftermath of the incident. This empathetic response from Harper was well-received and respected by many. In a postgame news conference, Cabrera apologised to Harper through a Cardinals Spanish interpreter, wishing him a speedy recovery and a return to baseball activities.
Harper's actions demonstrate his understanding of the mental toll that such incidents can have on athletes. By offering support and understanding to Cabrera, he set an example of sportsmanship and empathy that is worthy of recognition. It is important to acknowledge that athletes, like all people, can experience mental health challenges, and Harper's empathetic response highlights the significance of offering support and removing any stigma associated with these issues.
Harper's behaviour also underscores the value of empathy in defusing difficult situations. By responding with empathy, he helped to ease Cabrera's mind and likely contributed to a faster mental recovery for the pitcher. This incident serves as a reminder that empathy and compassion can often be the most effective responses in challenging situations, fostering healing and positive resolutions.
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Frequently asked questions
It is unclear who the chick is that hit on Bryce Harper, but it is known that Génesis Cabrera, a Cardinals pitcher, hit Harper with a 97 mph sinker during a game in 2021. Harper took the high road and reached out to Cabrera with an empathetic message.
Yes, Harper and his ex-girlfriend, Kayla Varner, were engaged in 2014, but their wedding was called off. They reconciled and remarried in 2016 and now have three children together.
No, Harper had to undergo Tommy John surgery and missed the start of the 2023 season.
Harper is a first baseman and right fielder for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Harper's batting average varies depending on the season and his performance. In 2019, his OPS was 1.149 with runners in scoring position, which was the best by a Phillies player since 1981.
