2 min read • April 07, 2023
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Philadelphia Phillies outfielder/designated hitter Bryce Harper recently hit a big milestone in his recovery from offseason Tommy John surgery.
On Tuesday, the two-time MVP reportedly took batting practice on the field for the first time since his surgery late last November.
Originally, it was reported that the team was expecting him to be out until the All-Star break, but the Pro Baseball Docs were optimistic he could beat that timeline.
Harper was placed on the 10-day IL to start the season, indicating the team thinks there’s a significant chance he could be ready before the end of May – which would have been his return date if placed on the 60-day IL.
The 30-year-old from Las Vegas has yet to be cleared for sliding on the base paths, as doctors reportedly believe there’s a risk of damaging his elbow reconstruction on certain slides.
The Pro Baseball Docs believe that issue could be remedied with the use of an elbow brace when running the bases, but of course that is not the only thing preventing his return at the moment.
Throwing is the hardest motion for the ulnar collateral ligament, but swinging repetitively can also cause the ligament stress.
It makes sense the team is playing it cautious with his return, but once May hits the questions will begin piling up on when his return date will be.
Mid-to-late May is likely a realistic target for him to return as designated hitter, but he likely won’t return in the outfield until the end of the season, if at all, according to the Pro Baseball Docs.
The loss of first baseman Rhys Hoskins to a torn ACL late in spring training has put stress on a lineup that has struggled to produce runs without Harper.
Through the first seven games of the season, Philadelphia ranks 25th in runs per game at 3. Last season, they ranked 7th in the league with 4.59 runs per game.
Now, they will be down to a third-string first baseman as Darick Hall heads to IL to heal a torn UCL in his right thumb. Hall is expected to miss at least a month and his return could easily stretch to two months by the time he sees enough pitches to be comfortable hitting again.
The Phillies have multiple options for filling the hole at first. Former Tiger Kody Clemens may see more time at first with Hall out, but his bat leaves much to be desired.
Clemens hit .145 in 117 at bats with Detroit last season.
Starting third baseman Alec Bohm could also slide over to first, leaving Edmundo Sosa to start at third base. Bohm has 27 career games at first base, compared to 280 games at third.
The Phillies (1-5) have the ninth-best odds to win the World Series at +2000, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
The Atlanta Braves are the current favorites at +600.
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