Phillies star Bryce Harper hit from a tee today, tweets Alex Coffey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. He’s expected to take swings every other day in the near future as he continues rehabbing from November’s Tommy John surgery.
It marked Harper’s first swings since going under the knife. Manager Rob Thomson told reporters the club isn’t ruling out batting practice at some point during Spring Training, though he cautioned the club plans to be deliberate throughout the rehab process (link via Jayson Stark of the Athletic).
All seems to be on track to this point in Harper’s recovery. The Phillies have maintained they expect him back as a designated hitter around the All-Star Break. While it’s possible he could return towards the tail end of the season’s first half, both team and player have preached patience early in the rehab. It was a similar story with regards to a possible return to the outfield in 2023, which remains uncertain.
The surgery is on Harper’s throwing elbow and he is still well off from beginning a throwing program. That obviously forecloses any possibility of him immediately stepping back into his customary right field work once he returns. He’ll be limited to designated hitter early on in his return but neither Harper nor Thomson have ruled out possible outfield reps at the end of the season.
“It all depends on how he heals and gets into his throwing program, how all that works out” the manager said (via Mark Didtler of the Associated Press). “I don’t think it’s out of the question.” Harper added he wants “to get back out there and be in front of the fans in right field doing my stuff” but indicated there aren’t any plans “to rush back to the throwing part” (relayed by The Athletic). Once Harper is ready for DH work, Nick Castellanos and Kyle Schwarber will take on the regular corner outfield jobs.
The two-time NL MVP is coming off an excellent .286/.364/.514 line. That’s despite playing through the elbow injury that eventually necessitated surgery and a midseason absence after fracturing his left thumb on a hit-by-pitch. He followed up with an otherworldly .349/.414/.746 showing against playoff pitching to help the Phils to a pennant.
Lil Johnny Harper also hit of a tee today. He just turned four. His bat was an oversized fungo and the ball a whiffle. He went deep into the kitchen.
Sigh
Why post this?
With the Wiffleball?
Dude is a beast! Him in a lineup in any capacity is a difference maker. He’s top three game changer when he plays in my lifetime. The other two with the same energy and dynamic to take over a game that I’ve watched in any sport were Iverson and Lindros. When they played their teams had a great chance to win and they could single handily take over a game.
Lil Johnny Harper’s parents thank you.
At least u aren’t Philly biased….
Throw Reggie White in the game changer category that I saw play as well. Sadly. White, Lindros and Iverson did not finish their careers in Philadelphia and they should have been livelongs like Mike schmidt, Bobby Clarke and the NBA post ABA trade Dr. J.
I’ve seen six year olds hit off a tee. Doesn’t mean much.
Must be a slow news day for this is to make headlines.
Where the six year olds famous athletes recovering from surgery?
*Were. I really hate my phone.
Why is he in the Majors if he can only hit off a tee?
This is the least intelligent comment I’ve ever seen in my life.
Go read some UncleMike gems….youll soon retract that statement and issue a public apology.
@Cardsfan21
Yet, you found the time to not only read it but also post a reply to it.
Yep, took all of five seconds out of my day to do so
He’s rehabbing not participating in Spring Training Activities. Also is on active roster til the IL official starts.
All these hitting off a tee comments obviously never played past little league.
@jkoko
I just couldn’t get past t-ball. Kept striking out and the coach eventually benched me for all games.