Bryce Harper’s return from undergoing Tommy John surgery in November has him on a positive trajectory to return to the Philadelphia Phillies.
For now, he has a follow-up with Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles at the beginning of May.
That is a major appointment.
“If we get clearance from the doctor, then we’ll see when he can start DHing,” manager Rob Thomson told the media on Thursday, including MLB.com’s Paul Casella. “But it shouldn’t be too far after that.”
If that’s the case, he’s way ahead of schedule.
The original prognosis was to have Harper return fully both hitting and as a position player by the All-Star Break. That’s scheduled from July 10-13.
Phillies general manager Dave Dombrowski continued to hear that doctors were happy with Harper’s progress.
There’s still a question about his sliding, however. For the time being, he’s been sliding feet first only. He told the media when it comes to that aspect of his game, there’s no rush there as he could sprain his arm if he attempts to slide head first too early in his rehab.
Putting in the work pic.twitter.com/67AdEoiyy6
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) April 20, 2023
Thomson said during spring training he believed Harper was ahead of schedule, but made sure to say it with caution. You can’t predict some of these injuries — especially one of that magnitude. The fact that he’s not a pitcher does alter it, of course.
The two-time MVP played through his UCL injury last postseason and helped the Phillies advance to the World Series. During that time, he boasted a.349 average with a 1.160 OPS and six home runs.
