The two-time MVP said Saturday that a return to the lineup could come as soon as next week, marking the most definitive update since he was placed on the injured list on June 7 with inflammation in his right wrist.
“Next week is definitely in play,” Harper told reporters on Friday in Atlanta, choosing his words carefully but making it clear he’s close.
The Phillies return home Monday for a six-game homestand, starting with the Padres and ending with the Reds. It’s possible Harper could be back for the opener, or slide in later in the week depending on how his wrist responds over the next few days.
He’s already cleared several important hurdles. On Friday in Atlanta, Harper took early batting practice on the field. On Saturday, he stepped in against live pitching from two minor leaguers. He’s expected to check in with the medical staff on Sunday before the club finalizes a plan.
The biggest development? The sharp pain that shut him down earlier this month is gone. What remains is normal soreness — the kind that comes from swinging a bat again after a few weeks off. There’s been no swelling, no setbacks, and no hesitation in his daily workload.
Even so, Harper isn’t ready to circle a specific date just yet.
His potential return would be a major lift for a Phillies lineup that has leaned on depth and timely power in his absence but hasn’t looked quite the same without his presence in the middle of the order. Before the injury, Harper was hitting .258 with nine homers and a .814 OPS.
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