Throughout tonight’s Phillies/Rangers matchup on ESPN, Bryce Harper and Phillies supervisor Rob Thomson shared some optimistic updates about Harper’s restoration from Tommy John surgical procedure in November. (Hat tip to Corey Seidman of NBC Sports activities Philadelphia.) Thomson stated Harper is more likely to hit on the sector at Residents Financial institution Park on Thursday, previous to the Phils’ house opener in opposition to the Reds. Harper has already been doing his standard slate of batting cage work for roughly 10 days.
No replace was given on Harper’s timeline, as the previous MVP stated he’s “simply making an attempt to get my rehab going as finest as potential,” and “simply making an attempt to take it every day, ensure I hit each checkpoint.”
“[I’ve] nonetheless bought a minute to go. Simply making an attempt to be sensible about it, understanding my good days are going to be good and a few days I’ll simply be sore and it’ll be a little bit more durable. However I really feel good proper now, simply bought to maintain that going and maintain doing the identical stuff.”
As soon as Harper does his on-field work, Thomson laid out the gameplan of dwell batting observe after which progressing to minor league rehab video games. Whereas there’s actually lots to love about Harper’s progress, these subsequent steps received’t be accomplished shortly, notably since Harper each has to get well bodily and totally ramp up for the season after lacking all of Spring Coaching. The Phillies initially advised that Harper can be again by roughly the All-Star break in a DH capability, and he would possibly return to proper area later within the season if all was effectively together with his throwing arm.
Nonetheless, tonight’s replace is likely to be the most recent trace that Harper may very well be activated from the injured record earlier than that July goal — as an example, the Phils solely positioned him on the 10-day model of the IL previous to the season, not the 60-day IL that may usually include a longer-term harm. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski did counsel {that a} 60-day placement (which might be backdated to Harper’s preliminary placement on the 10-day IL on March 30) would possibly nonetheless happen if Philadelphia must create a 40-man roster spot, however it might look like the Phillies didn’t wish to completely rule out Harper’s return throughout the first 60 days of the common season.
