Phillies star Bryce Harper hit from a tee at this time, tweets Alex Coffey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. He’s anticipated to take swings each different day within the close to future as he continues rehabbing from November’s Tommy John surgical procedure.
It marked Harper’s first swings since going below the knife. Supervisor Rob Thomson informed reporters the membership isn’t ruling out batting observe in some unspecified time in the future throughout Spring Coaching, although he cautioned the membership plans to be deliberate all through the rehab course of (hyperlink by way of Jayson Stark of the Athletic).
All appears to be on monitor thus far in Harper’s restoration. The Phillies have maintained they count on him again as a chosen hitter across the All-Star Break. Whereas it’s potential he may return in direction of the tail finish of the season’s first half, each staff and participant have preached persistence early within the rehab. It was an identical story with reference to a potential return to the outfield in 2023, which stays unsure.
The surgical procedure is on Harper’s throwing elbow and he’s nonetheless effectively off from starting a throwing program. That clearly forecloses any chance of him instantly stepping again into his customary proper area work as soon as he returns. He’ll be restricted to designated hitter early on in his return however neither Harper nor Thomson have dominated out potential outfield reps on the finish of the season.
“All of it depends upon how he heals and will get into his throwing program, how all that works out” the supervisor mentioned (by way of Mark Didtler of the Related Press). “I don’t suppose it’s out of the query.” Harper added he needs “to get again on the market and be in entrance of the followers in proper area doing my stuff” however indicated there aren’t any plans “to hurry again to the throwing half” (relayed by The Athletic). As soon as Harper is prepared for DH work, Nick Castellanos and Kyle Schwarber will tackle the common nook outfield jobs.
The 2-time NL MVP is coming off a wonderful .286/.364/.514 line. That’s regardless of enjoying via the elbow harm that ultimately necessitated surgical procedure and a midseason absence after fracturing his left thumb on a hit-by-pitch. He adopted up with an otherworldly .349/.414/.746 displaying towards playoff pitching to assist the Phils to a pennant.
