Phillies’ Bryce Harper talks timeline for return from Tommy John surgery

Could Bryce Harper be coming back sooner than expected?

The slugging outfielder could make his return to the Philadelphia Phillies lineup before the All-Star break.

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President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said on the 94WIP Morning Show Tuesday that Harper will not be placed on the 60-day injured list to start the season, and Harper spoke to reporters on Wednesday about his timeline.

“Trying to leave that door open, just in case. If it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. If it does, then great. Right? I think it’s just because I’m feeling good right now,” Harper said. “Like I told you guys at the beginning of camp, it could be after [the All-Star break], it could be before. If things keep progressing the way they are, then I feel good about [Dombrowski] saying what he did. If I have something that happens, then we’re pretty much on track for where we are.”

Harper underwent Tommy John surgery in November after the Phillies lost to the Houston Astros in the World Series. He had injured his elbow in April and spent the rest of the 2022 campaign as a designated hitter.

The 2021 National League MVP missed two months of the season after he suffered fractured thumb in June and had pins inserted in a surgery.

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Harper, a seven-time All-Star, finished last season with a .286 average, 18 home runs and 65 RBI.

He led the Phillies to the World Series for the first time since 2009 with a dominant postseason performance. Harper hit .349 with six home runs and 13 RBI and he earned the NLCS MVP.