Phillies star Bryce Harper took batting practice on Tuesday evening ahead of the team’s game against the Yankees and plans to do so again on Thursday prior to the team’s home opener at Citizens Bank Park.
Harper underwent offseason Tommy John surgery, and continues to progress in his recovery. It is unlikely that Harper plays right field this season for Philadelphia, but will be in position to be the team’s full-time designated hitter while his tendon continues to heal.
Manager Rob Thomson is pleased with his star’s recovery thus far, but said that he still needs to be cleared by the medical staff before returning to the lineup.
“He feels great,” Thomson told NBC Sports Philadelphia. “It’s not hitting we’re concerned about. It’s sliding. We’ve got to get clearance from the doctor on that first. If he slides head-first, he could rupture it and then we’re back to square one.”
Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia noted that Harper was not a fan of the rule change to allow full-time designated hitters in the National League last season, but is now grateful that it happened to allow him the opportunity to play this season, and about half the year last season. Otherwise, the surgery last November likely would have sidelined him for this entire year, as he’s not expected to be cleared to throw, only hit this season.
Harper’s November surgery repaired the elbow injury suffered last April. He returned as the team’s designated hitter and batted .296 with 18 home runs on the season as the Phillies represented the National League in the World Series.
