News

Phillies say Bryce Harper will be back by All-Star break, could return to right field by end of 2023

Bryce Harper will miss time in 2023 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire),

Multiple reports on Wednesday afternoon stated that Bryce Harper underwent successful Tommy John surgery. Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia said “the early word on Harper is that he could be back hitting competitively by mid-May.”

The team offered a more conservative recovery timeline, saying Harper could return as a designated hitter by the All-Star break, which begins on July 10.

Harper could return to right field this season at some point near the end of the regular season, the team said.

President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski announced last week in a press conference that Harper will undergo surgery to repair a tear in his right ulnar collateral ligament. The injury limited him to just eight games as a right fielder in 2022.

It will be interesting to see how the Phillies react to being without their superstar for nearly half the season. Dombrowski acknowledged that they could do nothing and fill the void left by Harper with internal options. It’s not as if the Phillies are short on potential designated hitters.

It does make offense an even bigger priority than it already was. The Phillies were going to be in the market for the top four shortstops — Carlos Correa, Trea Turner, Xander Bogaerts and Dansby Swanson — regardless of Harper’s prognosis. Now it seems adding another star to make up for the loss of Harper is a must.

MORE FROM PHILLIES NATION

  1. What Went Wrong For Nick Castellanos During First Season With The Phillies?
  2. Kyle Schwarber’s Top 5 Home Runs Of 2022
  3. PN Roundtable: Bold Predictions For Phillies Offseason
  4. Why The Phillies Shoulder Seriously Consider Bringing Back Zach Eflin
  5. 5 Former Phillies Appear On 2023 Hall Of Fame Ballot
  6. Bryce Harper To Have Surgery Next Wednesday, Recovery Timeline Unclear For Now
  7. J.T. Realmuto Is On Path To Be Greatest Catcher In Phillies’ History
  8. How Much Would It Cost To Sign Trea Turner?
  9. Phillies Reportedly Have ‘Real Interest’ In Xander Bogaerts
  10. Meet ‘Frankie Two Scoops’, The Most Beloved Man At Citizens Bank Park

Phillies Nation has been bringing Phillies fans together since 2004 with non-stop news, analysis, trade rumors, trips, t-shirts, and other fun stuff!

Browse the Archives

Browse by Category

Copyright Phillies Nation, LLC 2004-2024
Not Affiliated with Major League Baseball or the Philadelphia Phillies

To Top