Philadelphia Phillies superstar Bryce Harper played through a torn UCL in his right elbow for the majority of the 2022 MLB season. That’s why he was their designated hitter for all but eight games with the most recent appearance in right field coming April 16.
The Phillies made in known that Harper would have surgery to repair the UCL. He underwent Tommy John surgery on Wednesday, per Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Harper’s targeted potential return is mid-May. He swung the bat quite well through last season with the injury and it’s possible he’ll get all his range of motion and the strength needed to swing before he can let loose with throws from right field.
Harper is expected to return as a DH and maybe serve in that capacity for a majority of 2023 before returning full-time to right field in 2024.
Harper hit .286 with 28 doubles, 18 homers, 65 RBI, 63 runs and 11 steals in 99 games last season. He, also missed two months after being hit by a pitch.
Harper then hit 349 with seven doubles, six home runs, 13 RBI and 12 runs in 17 playoff games, during the Phillies postseason run, that ended in a World Series loss.
Phillies slugger Bryce Harper hits the series winning two-run homerun. Photo courtsey of Michael Reaves/Getty Images
