Harper returns to Phillies, 160 days after Tommy John surgical procedure

LOS ANGELES — Bryce Harper has all the time loved enjoying at Dodger Stadium. His sport for the Philadelphia Phillies may prime all of them.

Harper was activated off the injured record and was within the lineup at designated hitter when the Phillies took on the Los Angeles Dodgers within the center sport of a three-game sequence.

The return for the two-time NL MVP got here 160 days after Harper had Tommy John surgical procedure on his proper elbow. It occurred on the ballpark the place he made his main league debut in 2012.

When Harper had surgical procedure on Nov. 23, the Phillies stated he was anticipated to return across the All-Star break in mid-July. He was cleared to play after an appointment with Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Monday morning.

“I tried to go through the whole process and understand where my body and mind was. I tried to do everything I could to get to this point. It’s been a grind,” Harper stated earlier than Monday’s sport.

Harper – who has a .292 batting common and 6 homers in 26 video games at Dodger Stadium – stated he’ll proceed to put on a brace on his proper elbow whereas hitting. He wore it most of final season after initially struggling the damage final April and batted .286 with 18 homers and 65 RBIs.

The 30-year-old Harper first suffered a small ulnar collateral ligament tear in his elbow in April. He had a platelet-rich plasma injection in May and shifted to the DH position.

When it involves the potential for one other damage or if he’s coming again too quickly, Harper stated he’s healed the way in which he must be to play.

“Whenever you have a major surgery something could happen. It wouldn’t matter from right now to two months, we’re healed to where I need to be and play the game smart and the right way,” Harper stated. “I’m not going to push the craziness of how I play and understand I help my team when I am on the field and not off it.”

Harper’s return additionally comes at a good time for the Phillies. The defending NL champs are 15-15, however have gained seven of their final 10 video games.

It provides extra energy to a deep Philadelphia lineup. The Phillies go into Tuesday’s sport third within the majors with a .271 batting common. They have been producing their share of hits with smooth contact as Statcast’s anticipated batting common is .244.

Philadelphia added Trea Turner – a former teammate of Harper’s in Washington – to hitch a batting order that features Kyle Schwarber, Nick Castellanos and J.T. Realmuto. Brandon Marsh, who was acquired on the commerce deadline from the Los Angeles Angels final yr, is fifth within the majors with a .337 batting common.

“It really creates a long lineup,” supervisor Rob Thomson stated. “When you see it, you’re going to see a couple pretty good hitters way down there because Harper is back. Once he gets hot, we’re going to be a handful.”

Thomson stated with the variety of days off that the Phillies have in May, the expectation is that Harper might be within the lineup day by day so long as he stays wholesome.

When it involves the potential for when Harper will return to the sphere, Thomson stated that’s prone to be a pair months away. Harper has performed principally proper discipline, however is taking grounders and throwing from first base.

Thomson’s largest fear in the mean time is ensuring Harper will get off to a superb begin on the plate.

“I wouldn’t be surprised where it is going to take some time to get true timing back but I’m pretty confident in his abilities,” Thomson stated.