Inside The Phillies

Harper Could Make Historic Return to Philadelphia Phillies in Record Time

The Philadelphia Phillies could soon welcome back Bryce Harper after a historically quick recovery from Tommy John surgery.
Kade Kistner|
Harper Could Make Historic Return to Philadelphia Phillies in Record Time
Harper Could Make Historic Return to Philadelphia Phillies in Record Time

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Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies could soon be welcoming back superstar Bryce Harper to lineup as soon as mid-May according to a report from The Athletic. 

A target date for mid-May is much quicker than the initial prognosis of some time after the All-Star break. Harper has always been known as a quick healer, but returning this quickly from Tommy John surgery is unprecedented. He underwent surgery Nov. 23. 

Per The Athletic, Harper could be back the first weekend of May. 

He has a doctor's appointment scheduled at the beginning of May in Los Angeles when the Phillies are there for the back half of a six-game road trip.
"If we get clearance from the doctor, then we'll see when he can start DHing," Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Thursday. "But it shouldn't be too far after that."
It's possible Harper is in the lineup by the first weekend of May — or soon thereafter — once the Phillies return home from California. As long as the doctor clears him. The Phillies are operating, team sources said, as if this is a plausible scenario.

As the article points out, it would be the fastest return to the field after undergoing Tommy John surgery. 

Philadelphia could use Harper's bat back in the lineup as the offense is failing to find any kind of consistency in the early goings of the 2023 MLB season. 

Harper's presence cannot be understated as he completely changes the look of the squad and his leadership is unparalleled. He is the paragon of the Phillies roster. 

His quick return would be a bigger boost for the franchise than any trade acquisition could hope to provide. 

More From SI's Inside The Phillies:

  1. Phillies Star Bryce Harper Doesn't Hold Back on Thoughts About Joe Girardi
  2. How Mike Trout Will Join the Phillies
  3. Could Bryce Harper's Favorite MLB Player Join the Philadelphia Phillies in 2023?
  4. Could The Phillies Soon Be Playing in Wawa Park?
  5. Bryce Harper-Obsessed Japanese Baseball Star Wants to Play for Phillies
  6. Six Philadelphia Phillies Declare Free Agency
  7. Rumored Phillies Free Agent Target Just Opted Out of Contract
  8. Jimmy Rollins Describes Disrespectful Treatment by Ryne Sandberg
  9. Phillies Release 2023 Regular Season Schedule
  10. Picking the Phillies' All-Time Single Season Lineup

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Kade Kistner
KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Phillies. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl.  During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated.  Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.

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