Harper went 4-for-6 with a solo home run, a double and three total runs scored in Wednesday's 13-0 win over San Francisco.
Harper extended the Phillies' lead to 2-0 in the fourth inning with an opposite-field shot off Justin Verlander, his 10th homer of the year and one of four hits on the day. It was a breakout performance from Harper, who'd been mired in an extended slump prior to Wednesday, going just 5-for-39 (.128) with one homer in his previous 13 contests. Overall, Harper is slashing .259/.370/.449 with 35 RBI, 36 runs scored and eight stolen bases across 289 plate appearances this season.
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Phillies' Bryce Harper: Sitting second game of twin bill
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Harper is not in the lineup for the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Padres.
Harper started at first base and went 1-for-4 in the Phillies' 6-4 loss in the first game of the day, which was his second appearance since returning from the 10-day injured list Monday following a three-plus week absence due to right wrist inflammation. His absence from the lineup in Wednesday's nightcap appears to be a result of workload management rather than any sort of setback. Otto Kemp will handle first base and bat sixth as the Phillies try for a doubleheader split.
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Phillies' Bryce Harper: Returns from injured list
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The Phillies activated Harper (wrist) from the 10-day injured list Monday. He will start at first base and bat third in the Phillies' series opener versus the Padres.
Harper will return to the Philadelphia lineup after missing the last three-plus weeks with right wrist inflammation. The 32-year-old did not go out on a rehab assignment, but the Phillies were convinced of Harper's readiness by how he looked against live pitching over the weekend.
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Phillies' Bryce Harper: Steps in against live pitching
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Harper (wrist) traveled with the Phillies to Atlanta this weekend and took swings in live batting practice Saturday, Bill Trocchi of the Associated Press reports. "He was great," Philadelphia manager Rob Thomson said. "Looked like he got his bat speed and his timing looked fine."
Harper isn't scheduled to do any on-field work Sunday, but if his wrist checks out OK after Saturday's BP session, the two-time NL MVP could bypass a rehab assignment and return from the 10-day injured list ahead of Monday's game against the Padres. While Harper has been on the shelf, rookie Otto Kemp has stepped in as the Phillies' primary first baseman.
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Phillies' Bryce Harper: Could be activated Monday
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Harper (wrist) could be activated from the 10-day injured list Monday when the Phillies begin a homestand, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Harper took 75 swings off a high-velocity pitching machine Thursday and is slated to hit outside on the field Friday. He could face live pitching after that. While it sounds like Harper will not be activated over the weekend in Atlanta, he appears poised to skip a rehab assignment and return early next week if he continues to trend in the right direction.
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Phillies' Bryce Harper: Going through pre-game routine
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Harper (wrist) will go through his usual pre-game routine prior to Tuesday's game against the Astros, though he isn't expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list before the end of the series, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.
The routine includes about 50 swings, fielding grounders and going through a throwing program, and if all goes well, he could take batting practice Wednesday. Harper continues to progress in his recovery from right wrist inflammation, and he appears to be lining up to rejoin the Phillies this weekend or next week, per Matt Gelb of The Athletic, though there's officially no timeline for his return.
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Phillies' Bryce Harper: Advances to soft toss Saturday
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Harper (wrist) progressed to throwing soft toss ahead of Saturday's game against the Mets, MLB.com reports.
Harper continues to gradually ramp up his baseball activity amid his recovery from right wrist inflammation, as his absence has now extended beyond two weeks. There remains no clear timetable for his return to the field, and it's unclear if the Phillies will send him on a brief minor-league rehab assignment or simply reinstate him from the injured list once the superstar first baseman is deemed ready for game action. In the meantime, Alec Bohm and Otto Kemp should continue to split the reps at the cold corner.
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Phillies' Bryce Harper: Hits off tee
Rotowire
Harper (wrist) took 20 swings off a tee Friday, but he remains without a timetable for return, Paul Casella of MLB.com reports.
Harper took dry swings Thursday and has progressed to hitting off a tee. While it's unclear how close he is to returning, it's another encouraging step in his recovery from right wrist inflammation.
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Phillies' Bryce Harper: Throws, takes dry swings
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Harper (wrist) threw and took some dry swings Thursday, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
It's the first time he's done any throwing or hitting since he went on the 10-day injured list with right wrist inflammation more than two weeks ago. The plan is for Harper to throw from a greater distance and possibly hit off a tee Friday, at which point the Phillies expect to have a better idea regarding a timetable for his return.
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Phillies' Bryce Harper: Almost back to throwing
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Manager Rob Thomson said Wednesday that Harper (wrist) has improved strength and range of motion, and the first baseman is "getting close" to throwing, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
The 32-year-old has been fielding grounders since landing on the injured list June 7 due to wrist inflammation, but he has yet to be cleared to resume throwing or swing a bat. Harper may not require a rehab assignment before rejoining the active roster, but he'll need to get back to full baseball activities before a potential return date comes into focus.
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Phillies' Bryce Harper: Fielding, but not yet hitting
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Harper (wrist) fielded ground balls at first base Friday, but the Phillies aren't certain when he'll be ready to swing a bat or resume throwing, MLB.com reports.
Harper is set to accompany the Phillies on their four-game set in Miami to begin the week, but he doesn't appear on track to be activated at any point during the series. The 32-year-old won't be cleared for throwing or swinging until his right wrist is completely pain-free, though the Phillies relayed Sunday that the range of motion in his wrist is "almost" back to normal. Otto Kemp will continue to serve as the Phillies' primary first baseman for the duration of Harper's absence.
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Phillies' Bryce Harper: Placed on IL due to wrist injury
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The Phillies placed Harper on the 10-day injured list Saturday due to right wrist inflammation, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Harper sat out Friday's matchup versus Pittsburgh due to what was deemed soreness in his right wrist, and he's now set for a longer absence with a diagnosis of inflammation. The move is retroactive to June 6, so Harper will be eligible to return for the first contest of a three-game set against Miami on June 16, though it's unclear at this point if he'll be ready to return then. Philadelphia recalled Otto Kemp from Triple-A Lehigh Valley in a corresponding move Saturday.
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Phillies' Bryce Harper: DTD with wrist issue
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Manager Rob Thomson said Friday that Harper is day-to-day with soreness in his right wrist, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Harper is out of Friday's lineup.
Harper has been playing through a nagging wrist injury and will get Friday off to rest and recover. The first baseman also missed time last week after being hit by a pitch in the elbow. In his place, Alec Bohm will bat third and play first base.
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Phillies' Bryce Harper: Homers in return
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Harper went 1-for-3 with a solo homer, two walks and two runs scored in Tuesday's win over the Blue Jays.
Harper took Bowden Francis deep in his first at-bat since being hit in the elbow by a fastball May 27. He also worked multiple walks in a game for the first time since April 26. His plate discipline has been superb, as he owns a 6:3 BB:K over his last 14 games. For the year, Harper's hitting .268/.380/.463 with nine homers, 34 RBI, 32 runs, eight steals and a 35:42 BB:K in 245 plate appearances.
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Phillies' Bryce Harper: Back in action Tuesday
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Harper (elbow) is starting at first base and batting third Tuesday against the Blue Jays, Paul Casella of MLB.com reports.
Harper hasn't seen the field since he sustained an elbow bruise on a hit-by-pitch last Tuesday versus Atlanta, but he's good to go for the series opener in Toronto. The veteran slugger was in the midst of a strong stretch at the plate prior to the elbow issue, as he has a .390/.447/.561 slash line with four doubles, a homer, two steals, 10 RBI and six runs in his past 11 games.
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Phillies' Bryce Harper: Sitting again Sunday
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Harper (elbow) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers.
Harper hasn't started since being hit by a pitch in the right elbow Tuesday versus Atlanta, and his absence will continue Sunday. The 32-year-old is still dealing with some bruising, though manager Rob Thomson relayed Saturday that the swelling has improved significantly over the past couple days. Harper will have Monday's team off day to aid in his recovery before the Phillies begin a three-game set in Toronto on Tuesday. For his part, Harper said that he's feeling much better and anticipates playing in the series opener versus the Blue Jays, per Matt Gelb of The Athletic.
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Phillies' Bryce Harper: Will attempt to swing bat
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Phillies manager Rob Thomson said that Harper (elbow) will try to swing a bat during batting practice before Saturday's game against the Brewers, Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic reports.
Thomson relayed that Harper's right elbow is more bruised, though the swelling has drastically improved since he was hit by a pitch against Atlanta on Tuesday. Harper is out of the Phillies' lineup for a fourth consecutive game, but the expectation is that the All-Star first baseman will avoid a stint on the injured list. Alec Bohm will start at first base and bat in the cleanup spot against Milwaukee on Saturday.
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Phillies' Bryce Harper: Not swinging yet
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Harper (elbow) is not in Friday's lineup against the Brewers, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Harper will miss a third straight game with a right elbow bruise. Alec Bohm is starting at first base while Edmundo Sosa mans third. Harper called himself "super day-to-day" Friday, but he hasn't tried swinging a bat yet and likely won't Friday, per Paul Casella of MLB.com, so it's possible this turns into an IL stint. When Betts returns, he'll be wearing a new elbow brace, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic.
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Phillies' Bryce Harper: Absent for Game 2
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Harper (elbow) is out of the lineup for the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against Atlanta.
Harper was absent from the first game of Thursday's doubleheader as well, but Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Harper was feeling better after Game 1, Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic reports. Alec Bohm has the start at first base and is batting third while Edmundo Sosa enters the lineup at third base.
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Phillies' Bryce Harper: Sitting for first game of twin bill
Rotowire
Harper (elbow) is out of the lineup for the first game of Thursday's doubleheader versus Atlanta.
Harper was struck on the right elbow by a pitch in the first inning of Tuesday's series opener with Atlanta and was diagnosed with a bruise after X-rays cleared him of any structural damage. Even with the benefit of an extra day of rest due to a rainout Wednesday, Harper will end up missing out on his first start of the season in the front end of a doubleheader. According to Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Phillies manager Rob Thomson said that Harper is "doing better" despite still dealing with some swelling on his elbow, though a decision hasn't been made whether the two-time NL MVP will be play in the second game of the day. Thomson noted that Harper still hasn't tried to swing a bat since suffering the injury, so the Phillies may be inclined to hold him out for both of Thursday's games with the hope that he'll be ready to return to the lineup for Friday's series opener versus the Brewers.
