Bryce Harper will have his follow-up appointment in Los Angeles Monday with Dr. Neal ElAttrache, and if it goes the way he and the Phillies are hoping, he could make his season debut Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium.
“It’ll be tomorrow and then we’ll see what happens,” manager Rob Thomson said Sunday prior to the Phillies series finale against the Astros.
“It’ll be tomorrow and then we’ll see what happens,” manager Rob Thomson said Sunday prior to the Phillies’ series finale against the Astros.
Harper had Tommy John surgery the day before Thanksgiving, November 23. If he’s back in the lineup Tuesday night, his recovery will have taken just 160 days.
Harper has been facing live pitching for a few weeks now and will not go on a rehab assignment. He’s faced Ranger Suarez, Nick Nelson and minor-league pitchers in the Phillies’ organization and has been swinging on the field every other day.
Harper’s been working at first base regularly, but his return will come as the designated hitter.
The Phillies hope to work Harper in at first base to give themselves more positional flexibility.
With Harper at DH, Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos would again be the regular corner outfielders.
Getting Harper back at anywhere near his top form would be a huge boost to a Phillies team that has started to heat up, winning seven of their last eight games.
Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillie. Photo courtsey of Matt Slocum/Associated Press
