Bryce Harper wore a massive elbow brace in his return and MLB fans were shocked

Even though he’s a position player, it’s still astonishing that Bryce Harper is already making a return from Tommy John surgery. The former MVP was in the lineup on Tuesday and Wednesday after undergoing surgery 160 days ago.

But it’s awfully clear that Harper is still going to be dealing with some restrictions as he runs the bases this season.

During Wednesday’s game against the Dodgers, Harper got his first hit since returning with a double down the line. As he slid into second, he seemed to consciously protect that arm with a feet-first slide. And once he got on base, he opted to sport an accessory that you almost never see in a baseball game:

A full metal elbow brace.

SO BACK.

Bryce Harper's first hit of the 2023 regular season is a double: pic.twitter.com/m3UBJnduCe

— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) May 3, 2023

I mean, look at that thing.

Bryce Harper playing baseball with a full blown cast on. Dude is a maniac pic.twitter.com/tD9OccDNV4

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 3, 2023

We see that brace often on players who are recovering from Tommy John surgery, but we never see a player actively wear one *while* playing baseball. You could also make the argument that if he needs the brace, then he probably shouldn’t be playing yet. Harper is just something else.

MLB fans were definitely stunned by the brace as well.

This was how Twitter reacted

Doing this in May is lowkey insanity. https://t.co/0Ftuk3MCYp

— Ryan Pladino (@pladinosaur) May 3, 2023

This seems like a smart and sensible thing to do with your franchise player https://t.co/rWQUTdDTgb

— Jimmer (@_jimmer96) May 3, 2023

https://t.co/q6X4NZznpE pic.twitter.com/tYof6J4SbT

— ~ (@markfm18) May 3, 2023

This has bad news written all over it man just wait until you’re fully healed 😭 https://t.co/GB9ZBgrBt4

— Kyan 🤠 (@bravesplswin) May 3, 2023

we need to have a serious talk about how sports glorifies playing through injuries lol https://t.co/2chN11uqe2

— y – leo (@8conforto) May 3, 2023

The training staff for the Phillies is wild https://t.co/VEBBCHs5X9

— Your Majesty 😇 (@the3jsmom) May 3, 2023

I’m frightened https://t.co/KESg8P2rhk

— Eddie 🇵🇷 (@demorizi_eudy) May 3, 2023

I see that the Phillies and Dolphins share medical staffs. https://t.co/4fQV4QIFmz

— sky (@GonsolinRBW) May 3, 2023

There’s tough, and then there’s Philly tough, I guess. https://t.co/z0EatzOpXL

— Maggie (@LiebeMaggieMae) May 3, 2023