Bryce Harper is back in the Philadelphia Phillies lineup, but his wrist injury continues to cast a shadow over his return. After helping lead the team to a win against the San Diego Padres on Monday, the star slugger offered a revealing update on how much discomfort he’s still dealing with.
The 31-year-old said the inflammation that sidelined him has lingered for longer than previously disclosed, and he’s learning to manage the pain day by day. While he’s no longer on the injured list, Harper admitted there was a sense of stagnation in his recovery.
“I didn’t think I was going to take any other steps forward of feeling better,” Harper said, via Associated Press. “I thought we were kind of at a standstill of it feeling the same the last couple of days. From BP to live [pitching], it kind of gave us the same results each day. So, thought today was a good one.”
How much longer can Harper push through?
Though his return is a welcome boost, Harper made it clear that this wrist issue didn’t suddenly go away. He admitted that the discomfort predates his official IL stint and that it could potentially flare up again depending on how he feels. “Ultimately, it’s going to come down to how I feel each day,” he added.
Alec Bohm #28 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with Bryce Harper #3 after the game against the San Diego Padres at Citizens Bank Park on June 30, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Padres 4-0. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
The Phillies, now sitting at 50-35, have gone 5-5 in their last 10 games and are currently atop the NL East, benefiting in part from a recent slump by the New York Mets. But with a tight division race, Harper’s ability to stay in the lineup remains crucial.
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Phillies banking on Harper’s presence and production
Harper is batting .256 with nine home runs this season and hadn’t played since June 5 prior to Monday’s appearance. As one of the team’s most vocal leaders, his return is key as Philadelphia looks to solidify its postseason position.
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Now in the seventh year of his 13-year contract, Harper has helped guide the Phillies to the playoffs in each of the last three seasons. With another game ahead Tuesday against San Diego, the team will be closely monitoring their star’s health moving forward.
