Bryce Harper Cleared To Return To Phillies

Bryce Harper has been cleared to return to the Phillies and is predicted to be within the membership’s lineup because the designated hitter tomorrow, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.

Harper was identified with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in Might of final yr however performed by way of the ailment, serving because the designated hitter since he was capable of hit however not throw. He ultimately underwent Tommy John surgical procedure in November, after the membership had charged all the best way to the World Sequence. The membership initially introduced his anticipated return for across the All-Star break in July, but it surely turned clear in current weeks that he had an opportunity to beat that. The Phils by no means put him on the 60-day injured checklist, leaving the door open for him to return within the first couple months of the season.

It had lately been reported that Harper could be visiting Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the Los Angeles-based surgeon who carried out his TJS process, whereas the membership is on the town to play the Dodgers. It appeared earlier at the moment that Harper bought the excellent news he was in search of, as he took to Instagram and posted some photos of himself with the teasing message “Aye Pham. You prepared?” It now appears to be confirmed that he has been given the inexperienced gentle to return to hitting, permitting him to take up the DH spot for the Phils.

As soon as he’s again on the lineup, he may have accomplished what appears to be the quickest return to motion after going below the knife for Tommy John. Shohei Ohtani was beforehand one of many quickest to get again on the sector, as he underwent the process in October of 2018 and was again on the sector in Might of the next yr.

Harper will clearly present an enormous enhance to the lineup, having been the most effective hitters within the league for over a decade now. Even whereas coping with the UCL tear and lacking time with a damaged thumb final yr, he nonetheless hit .286/.364/.514 for a wRC+ of 138, indicating he was 38% higher than the league common hitter. If there’s one small draw back to Harper’s return, it’s that it’ll make the membership a bit much less versatile in setting its lineups. Thus far this yr, many of the DH time has gone to Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos, who’re each typically thought of subpar defenders within the outfield corners. Assuming the Phils have the liberty to make use of Harper on an on a regular basis foundation, that may seemingly imply having Schwarber and Castellanos within the discipline extra typically.

However that’s a small value to pay for an elite bat like Harper. What stays to be seen is when he’ll have the ability to return to the sector. The preliminary timeline was that he might doubtlessly return to proper discipline in direction of the top of the season. Nonetheless, Harper has been beating each timeline that’s been put in entrance of him and has additionally been getting some work in at first base. That place typically entails much less stress on the throwing elbow than enjoying within the outfield and will maybe permit him to maneuver off the designated hitter spot earlier.

No matter when Harper can once more play protection, he’s an amazing enhance to the lineup after lacking simply over a month of the 2023 season. The Phils have managed to remain afloat with out him, going 15-14 thus far. They’re just a few video games out within the playoff race proper now however ought to get some additional momentum for the rest of the schedule.