Bryce Harper’s Return from Injury Sparks Questions: Can He Rekindle Phillies’ Playoff Hopes?
Bryce Harper is back in action for the Philadelphia Phillies, set to take the field Monday against the San Diego Padres after spending nearly a month sidelined with right wrist inflammation. Since landing on the injured list on June 6, the 32-year-old slugger has been working through rehab and fine-tuning his swing, aiming to shake off the rust from this challenging stretch. Despite a wrist that’s not totally pain-free yet, Harper’s confidence is on the rise, especially after some solid batting practice and facing minor league pitching without setbacks. Over 57 games this season, he’s posted respectable numbers — a .258 average with an on-base percentage nudging .368 and nine home runs — but the Phillies are undoubtedly eager to have their star back in the lineup as they push deeper into the season. With recent adjustments to his pregame routine and treatment from the team’s medical experts, Harper’s return comes wrapped in cautious optimism, ready to bolster Philadelphia’s grip on first place in the NL East.
Bryce Harper is being activated from the injured list by the Philadelphia Phillies for Monday’s matchup with the San Diego Padres.
Harper, 32, has been on the IL since June 6 with right wrist inflammation. In 57 games this season. he’s batting .258/.368/.446 with nine home runs, 13 doubles, 34 RBI and eight stolen bases. In addition to the wrist injury, Harper missed five games earlier this season after taking a fastball to his right elbow.
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The Phillies decided to activate him after he had no setbacks following taking batting practice on Friday and facing pitches from two minor leaguers on Saturday. Harper rested and received treatment on Sunday and appeared ready to go for Monday.
Harper acknowledged that his timing felt off during the Friday batting practice session, but Phillies manager Rob Thomson said that was corrected against Double-A Reading pitcher Jack Dallas and Joel Kuhnel from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
The wrist isn’t completely pain-free, according to Harper. But he isn’t feeling pain, nor is there swelling in the area that was causing the most discomfort when he went on the IL and was shut down.
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“Definitely way healthier than I was a couple weeks ago,” Harper told MLB.com’s Paul Casella.
There is some concern for a recurring injury since Harper had issues with his wrist last season. Yet the hope is that various treatments from the Phillies’ medical staff in addition to changes in his pregame routine will prevent the wrist from being aggravated again.
Otto Kemp was called up from Triple-A when Harper went on the IL and has filled in at first base, third base and left field while batting .246/.325/.348 with one homer and 10 RBI in 77 plate appearances. When he was called up, Kemp was hitting 313/.416/.594 with 14 home runs and 55 RBI for Lehigh Valley.
The Phillies went 13-14 during Harper’s absence, but took over first place in the National League East at 49-35 as the New York Mets (48-37) have lost 13 of their past 16 games. Philadelphia has a 1.5-gqme lead going into Monday’s slate of MLB games.
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