The Philadelphia Phillies may soon welcome back one of their biggest stars. After missing several weeks with right wrist inflammation, Bryce Harper offered a promising update ahead of Friday’s series opener against the Atlanta Braves.
The two-time MVP has been sidelined since June 7, but said his recovery has exceeded expectations. While he avoided committing to a specific return date, Harper made it clear that a comeback during the upcoming homestand is on the table.
“I think next week is definitely in play,” Harper told reporters, according to MLB.com. “But I don’t want to solidify which day or anything like that. But I’m happy with where I’m at.”
Testing the wrist with live batting practice
Harper reached another checkpoint in his recovery on Friday by taking early batting practice on the field at Truist Park. It was his first outdoor session after hitting in cages earlier in the week in Houston. “I didn’t feel great outside today, swing-wise,” he admitted. “Obviously, health-wise, I felt fine. But swing-wise, I didn’t feel very good.”
To continue progressing, Harper is scheduled to face live pitching this weekend. The Phillies brought in Jack Dallas (Double-A Reading) and Joel Kuhnel (Triple-A Lehigh Valley) to throw to him during on-field sessions.
Manager Rob Thomson noted that how Harper feels afterward will determine next steps: “We’ll see how he comes out of it tomorrow… then we’ll figure out what we’re doing.”
Physical progress exceeding expectations
Despite some timing issues at the plate, Harper is encouraged by how quickly his wrist has responded. He mentioned some lingering “aches,” but the specific pain that forced him onto the IL is no longer present.
“If you had told me three weeks ago [I’d be] where I am now, I would have said you’re kind of crazy,” Harper said. “I’m very happy with where I am. I’m way farther ahead than I felt like I would be.“
The Phillies’ medical staff has been closely monitoring inflammation, and Harper reported no swelling. Continued treatment and minor adjustments to his training regimen may help ensure long-term durability.
Concern over re-injury lingers
One looming question is whether the wrist issue will resurface later this season. Harper dealt with similar inflammation throughout 2023, and though it faded during the offseason, it flared up again this spring. “I don’t really know yet. I think it’s going to take us some time of playing and seeing kind of where I’m at,” Harper said candidly.
Despite uncertainty, he’s not planning to alter his swing to accommodate the injury. Harper emphasized that he wouldn’t take the field unless he felt capable of competing at near-peak performance.
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“I don’t want to manipulate my swing at all. If I have to manipulate my swing in any way, then I shouldn’t be out there playing,” he said. “I want to play at the highest level that I can… not at 70%.”