Phillies Give Bryce Harper Update as He Nears Return
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Phillies Give Bryce Harper Update as He Nears Return
Phillies Give Bryce Harper Update as he Nears Return. Manager Rob Thomson had this to say on his progress: “He was great. Looked like he got his bat speed and his timing looked fine” Harper was hitting .258 with nine home runs in 213 at-bats before falling injured with right wrist inflammation on June 6. The Phillies’ first baseman is no stranger to the injured list, to which he has been a frequent visitor over the past four years.
The Philadelphia Phillies’ offense has come into focus recently. Aside from a 13-run outburst on Friday, the Phillies’ lineup has been rather sleepy, recording just four runs in the other five games they played since scoring seven against the Mets on June 22. However, this sluggishness could change sometime very soon.
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Bryce Harper, who’s absence from the batting order has been more than noticeable, faced live pitching at Truist Park on Saturday and participated in workouts before the game. Manager Rob Thomson had this to say on his progress:
“He was great. Looked like he got his bat speed and his timing looked fine.”
Sunday, which Thomson noted would be a rest day for Harper, offered a minor speed bump for his return. After checking in with Harper, Thomson said this:
“Bryce is a little stiff today. And that’s normal, just because he took so many swings the last couple days. It was a heavy workload.”
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (3).Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Harper was expected to return as early as Monday. But can he still return for the opener against the Padres? According to Thomson, it is still possible. In any case, it won’t be long.
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Harper was hitting .258 with nine home runs in 213 at-bats before falling injured with right wrist inflammation on June 6, missing 22 games since. The Phillies’ first baseman is no stranger to the injured list, to which he has been a frequent visitor over the past four years. But when he is healthy, Harper can be the offensive storm the Phillies need him to be. Last season, Harper finished with 30 home runs and a .285 batting average.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Bryce Harper nears triumphant return as Phillies thrive despite his wrist injury setback
The Philadelphia Phillies have emerged as one of the standout teams in Major League Baseball this season. Star outfielder Bryce Harper has been sidelined since June 6 due to a wrist injury. Harper’s injury has undoubtedly posed challenges for the Phillies, as he is not only a key player but also a vital leader in the clubhouse. Recent updates indicate that he is nearing a comeback, with reports of him facing live pitching as part of his rehabilitation process.
The Philadelphia Phillies have emerged as one of the standout teams in Major League Baseball this season, showcasing resilience and depth in their roster. Despite the significant absence of star outfielder Bryce Harper, who has been sidelined since June 6 due to a wrist injury, the team has managed to maintain a competitive edge in the league.
Harper’s injury has undoubtedly posed challenges for the Phillies, as he is not only a key player but also a vital leader in the clubhouse. His absence has been felt, yet the team has rallied together, demonstrating their ability to adapt and overcome obstacles. The contributions from other players have been instrumental in keeping the Phillies in contention, highlighting the depth of talent within the organization.
Harper’s Road to Recovery
As the season progresses, there is growing optimism surrounding Harper’s potential return. Recent updates indicate that he is nearing a comeback, with reports of him facing live pitching as part of his rehabilitation process. This development is a promising sign for both Harper and the Phillies, as his presence in the lineup could provide a significant boost during the critical stretch of the season.
The anticipation of Harper’s return is palpable among fans and teammates alike. His ability to impact games with his power at the plate and defensive prowess in the outfield is unmatched, making him an irreplaceable asset for the Phillies.
Looking Ahead
As the Phillies continue to navigate the challenges of the season, the prospect of Harper rejoining the team adds an exciting dimension to their campaign. His imminent return could not only enhance the team’s performance but also reinvigorate the fan base, who have been eagerly awaiting the return of one of their most beloved players.
In the world of sports, injuries can often derail a team’s aspirations, but the Phillies have shown that they possess the spirit and determination to thrive even in adversity. With Harper’s recovery progressing well, the stage is set for a triumphant return that could propel the Phillies to new heights as they aim for postseason success.
Phillies star Bryce Harper offers ‘Definitely’ return update amid promising wrist recovery
Bryce Harper has been sidelined since June 7 with right wrist inflammation. The two-time MVP says his recovery has exceeded expectations. Harper is scheduled to face live pitching this weekend. The Phillies brought in Jack Dallas and Joel Kuhnel to throw to him during on-field sessions. The team has been closely monitoring inflammation, and Harper reported no swelling.. Continued treatment and minor adjustments to his training regimen may help ensure long-term durability. “If I have to manipulate my swing in any way, then I shouldn’t be out there playing,” he said. ‘I want to play at the highest level that I can… not at 70%.’ ‘If you had told me three weeks ago [I’d be] where I am now, I would have said you’re kind of crazy,’ Harper said.
The two-time MVP has been sidelined since June 7, but said his recovery has exceeded expectations. While he avoided committing to a specific return date, Harper made it clear that a comeback during the upcoming homestand is on the table.
“I think next week is definitely in play,” Harper told reporters, according to MLB.com. “But I don’t want to solidify which day or anything like that. But I’m happy with where I’m at.”
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Testing the wrist with live batting practice
Harper reached another checkpoint in his recovery on Friday by taking early batting practice on the field at Truist Park. It was his first outdoor session after hitting in cages earlier in the week in Houston. “I didn’t feel great outside today, swing-wise,” he admitted. “Obviously, health-wise, I felt fine. But swing-wise, I didn’t feel very good.”
Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies tosses the ball to first base after fielding a ground ball in the ninth inning during a game against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park on April 20, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
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To continue progressing, Harper is scheduled to face live pitching this weekend. The Phillies brought in Jack Dallas (Double-A Reading) and Joel Kuhnel (Triple-A Lehigh Valley) to throw to him during on-field sessions.
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see also Rob Thomson breaks silence on Max Kepler’s public complaint about playing time with Phillies
Manager Rob Thomson noted that how Harper feels afterward will determine next steps: “We’ll see how he comes out of it tomorrow… then we’ll figure out what we’re doing.”
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Physical progress exceeding expectations
Despite some timing issues at the plate, Harper is encouraged by how quickly his wrist has responded. He mentioned some lingering “aches,” but the specific pain that forced him onto the IL is no longer present.
“If you had told me three weeks ago [I’d be] where I am now, I would have said you’re kind of crazy,” Harper said. “I’m very happy with where I am. I’m way farther ahead than I felt like I would be.“
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The Phillies’ medical staff has been closely monitoring inflammation, and Harper reported no swelling. Continued treatment and minor adjustments to his training regimen may help ensure long-term durability.
Concern over re-injury lingers
One looming question is whether the wrist issue will resurface later this season. Harper dealt with similar inflammation throughout 2023, and though it faded during the offseason, it flared up again this spring. “I don’t really know yet. I think it’s going to take us some time of playing and seeing kind of where I’m at,” Harper said candidly.
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Despite uncertainty, he’s not planning to alter his swing to accommodate the injury. Harper emphasized that he wouldn’t take the field unless he felt capable of competing at near-peak performance.
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“I don’t want to manipulate my swing at all. If I have to manipulate my swing in any way, then I shouldn’t be out there playing,” he said. “I want to play at the highest level that I can… not at 70%.”
Bryce Harper Injury Update: Phillies Star Nears Return
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper is progressing in his recovery from right wrist inflammation. He was placed on the 10-day injured list on Saturday, June 7, retroactive to Friday, June 6. The injury came three days after he rejoined the roster following an elbow hit-by-pitch from Atlanta Braves starter Spencer Strider on May 27. Harper will not require surgery now or during the offseason. He will continue to increase his baseball activity and monitor how the wrist responds. If the inflammation does not return and he remains pain-free, Harper could be available to rejoin the Phillies lineup in the near future. The Phillies are hosting a three-game series against the New York Mets. The Mets swept the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park in late April.
Last week, Harper resumed baseball activities at Citizens Bank Park. He took 20 dry swings and 20 swings off a tee – his first time swinging a bat since going on the injured list. He also fielded ground balls at first base and threw from 60 to 75 feet. He wore a brace on his wrist during these exercises. He followed the same routine the next day, continuing to test the wrist’s response to increased baseball activity.
Harper stated that the wrist felt better than expected. Phillies manager Rob Thomson confirmed that Harper would not have swung if there had been significant pain. Harper is not expected to participate in any minor league rehab games. According to Thomson, Harper’s return will depend on how he feels day to day, not on a predetermined number of swings or activities.
Medical evaluations have shown no structural damage to the wrist. Harper will not require surgery now or during the offseason. He described the injury as a flare-up of inflammation that had been absent for approximately four and a half months. He has not received a specific explanation for why the pain returned, though rest remains the main form of treatment. Harper said that he has played through pain in the past but could not continue under the current level of discomfort.
The Phillies are hosting a three-game series against the New York Mets. Entering Friday, both teams held identical 45–30 records. The Mets swept the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park in late April. In Friday’s series opener, the Phillies started Zack Wheeler against Mets rookie Blade Tidwell.
According to the New York Post, the Phillies had won eight of their last ten games, while the Mets had lost six straight entering the weekend. Sportsbooks favored the Phillies on the run line at –1.5 for Friday’s game. For Sunday’s game, Philadelphia was listed at –119 on the moneyline, with the Mets near –102. The over/under was set at nine runs. Futures markets had the Phillies as the favorite in online sports betting to win the National League East at approximately –140. Their World Series odds were near +900, slightly ahead of the Mets. The Los Angeles Dodgers remained the top National League favorite.
The Phillies are also without starting pitcher Aaron Nola. He was moved to the 60-day injured list on Thursday, June 19. Nola originally missed time in May due to a sprained right ankle. He later clarified that he is dealing with a stress fracture in the right side of his ribcage, after manager Rob Thomson initially described it as a stress reaction. On Saturday, June 21, Nola played catch in the batting cages. The Phillies had hoped he would begin throwing from a longer distance outdoors on Tuesday, June 24, though no official update has been provided since. He is expected to return during the second half of the season.
There is no set date for Harper’s return. He will continue to increase his baseball activity and monitor how the wrist responds. If the inflammation does not return and he remains pain-free, Harper could be available to rejoin the Phillies lineup in the near future.
Phillies’ Bryce Harper Nears Return Despite Wrist Injury Setback
The Philadelphia Phillies lead the National League East despite being without star slugger Bryce Harper. Harper is on the injured list due to a recurring right wrist issue. The team aims to exercise caution to avoid further complications with his wrist. If Harper’s condition allows for a successful return within the next couple of weeks, it would bolster the Phillies’ lineup.
The Phillies have won 10 of their last 15 games since Harper was placed on the injured list.
Harper reported taking 45 swings on two consecutive days during his recovery.
While Harper’s potential 10-day return projection is encouraging, there is skepticism regarding whether this timeline will hold, given the nature of his injury and the team’s cautious approach.
The Phillies are currently leading the NL East and have proven resilient without Harper.
Harper’s wrist issue remains a significant concern, requiring careful management before his return.
If Harper’s condition allows for a successful return within the next couple of weeks, it would bolster the Phillies’ lineup, particularly ahead of the All-Star break. However, if setbacks occur, the organization may need to adjust their expectations for the rest of the season.
The Phillies must balance their current success with the cautious management of Bryce Harper’s wrist injury, ensuring he returns healthy to optimize their playoff chances.