Inside The Phillies

Bryce Harper Slated to Have Elbow Surgery Next Week

Philadelphia Phillies superstar Bryce Harper is scheduled to have surgery performed on his elbow next Wednesday.
Kade Kistner|
Bryce Harper Slated to Have Elbow Surgery Next Week
Bryce Harper Slated to Have Elbow Surgery Next Week

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Philadelphia Phillies

Bryce Harper was evaluated by doctors this week on an elbow injury sustained earlier in April that forced him into the designated hitter role for the majority of the 2022 MLB season. While he was able to hit through it, the plan was always to use the offseason to recover.

Philadelphia Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski revealed in his end of season press conference that Harper will in fact undergo surgery to repair the UCL in his elbow. That surgery is slated to take place next Wednesday and will be performed by Dr. ElAttrache in Los Angeles, CA.

However, the timetable for his return is currently unknown and won't be available until doctors are able to actually get into the elbow, determine the extent of the damage, and then perform the necessary surgery. 

Dombrowski also made it clear that they have not determined the type of surgery Harper will require. It could be anything from something minor — like what Rhys Hoskins experienced in 2020 — all the way to Tommy John surgery. 

Dombrowski also made it clear that missed time from Harper could lead to potential roster shifts. One player the Phillies' brass liked last season was Darrick Hall, who performed admirably in Harper's absence when he was dealing with a thumb injury that also required surgery.

It's not an ideal situation, but it is one in which the Phillies, and Harper, will have all winter to plan for and recover from. 

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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