Bryce Harper Stoked To Join His Teammates For Tuesday’s Game Against Dodgers

Philadelphia Phillies superstar Bryce Harper is excited to rejoin his team on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

When Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson writes out his lineup for Tuesday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, there will be a familiar face included.

Welcome back, Bryce Harper.

Dr. Neal ElAttrache cleared Harper on Monday just 160 days after Tommy John surgery.

The recovery process has been amazingly quick, the fastest ever known from this type of injury.

"My body has been very good to me in this process,” Harper told reporters at Dodger Stadium.

Thomson is unsure where Harper will be inserted in the lineup.

This much is known: Harper will be the designated hitter and will swing the bat the only way he knows how.

With ferocity.

“Even if you tried, you wouldn't be able to (stop him)," Thomson said of Harper, who will wear an elbow guard. "Through all the doctors, through all the things that we've done -- I have no worries about that.”

Harper has been fielding ground balls at first base, taking live batting practice and running the bases with feet-first slides.

Tuesday night will be the real thing.

Despite the lack of a rehab assignment, Harper believes that he’s ready.

"I really tried to do everything I could to get to this point," Harper said. "It's been a grind, coming in each day -- on the field or in (the trainer's room) -- just understanding my body and how I feel and where I can push myself mentally and physically."

Harper refuses to compete at any level less than he’s used to. That means 100 percent effort all the time.

“Whenever you're having a major surgery, anything can happen -- a tag on me, or I slide into a bag or anything," he told reporters. "But I got word today that it wouldn't matter right now today or in two months. We would've been in the same spot that we would be. We're healed to where I need to be, and we're just going to play the game smart, play it the right way and not push the craziness of how I kind of play. But understanding that I help my team when I'm on the field, not when I'm off the field."

Just having Harper back in the lineup is truly an amazing development.

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