PHILADELPHIA — Bryce Harper stood on the grass in foul territory, 60 feet up the first-base line from his target, and stepped into his first throw since last summer.
That was Thursday, 148 days after he had Tommy John elbow surgery.
It’s all happening so fast. Harper knows this. Research shows that six months is the soonest a non-pitcher has returned from an elbow ligament reconstruction to play in the majors (infielder Tony Womack in 2004). Yet here’s Harper, who began taking batting practice 4 1/2 months after his Nov. 23 surgery. He faced live pitching and initiated a feet-first sliding program, all before the five-month mark. He will see his surgeon at the beginning of May and may be cleared to join the Phillies lineup as the designated hitter shortly thereafter.
