Bryce Harper says "I will be back at some point" via News4Jax - CC
Philadelphia Phillies' right fielder Bryce Harper plans to come back from his thumb injury sometime in 2022. However, his timetable remains unclear.
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“I don’t want to give anybody a timetable because I don’t know,” Harper said prior to the Phillies' game against Washington on Tuesday night. “If I knew a specific date that I’d be back, I'd tell you. I just don’t think it’s fair to anybody. I’ll be back when I’m ready to go.”
A 97 mph pitch from San Diego Padres left-hander Blake Snell struck Harper on June 25, causing an injury. In the fourth inning, he changed his swing when the ball went inside and high toward his shoulder before hitting him on the outside of his left hand. He hurt himself when he fell down, and he was on his knees holding his hand for several minutes.
Jomboy Media
2022-06-26 03:31
Scary sight in San Diego. Bryce Harper had to leave the game after taking a pitch off his hand. https://t.co/uDeTOiOqjT
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According to the New York Post' Jon Heyman, Harper underwent successful surgery a few days later and is expected to recover within six to eight weeks.
"I will be back at some point, in some capacity," said Harper to the reporters.
With those statements, Harper created genuine hope inside the organization and the fan that the NL MVP winner would return to the field at some point this year while the Phillies are still in the running for the wild-card spot.
Harper before injury
Harper signed a 13-year contract with the Phillies worth $330 million in 2019. During his 64 games prior to the injury, the 29-year-old right fielder hit .318 with 15 home runs, a .985 OPS, and 48 RBIs.
Due to a torn UCL, he hasn't played much in the outfield, but he was in the running to be the National League's starting designated hitter at the All-Star game.
The offense is even better than it was in 2021 when he was named MVP for the second time in his career. He had a batting average of.309 and hit 35 home runs. His OPS of 1.044 was the best in the league.
Harper wasn't able to get the Phillies into the playoffs last year, as the team only went 82-80. But the team is still in the running in 2022. As of Tuesday, it had a 42-38 record and was only one game behind the third wild-card spot.
The Phillies are 4-3 without Harper, and they were only one game behind the last NL wild-card spot on Tuesday. The All-Star outfielder, who has been the designated hitter for most of the season, said he experienced “general soreness” in the days after surgery, but he claimed feeling better on Monday.
Howard Eskin
2022-07-05 19:22
Bryce Harper spoke today for first time since surgery on his left thumb. Talks about timeline for his return to #Phillies lineup. @SportsRadioWIP https://t.co/vbAgKcmEJr
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“I don’t want to hope or think about anything. I just want to go day by day and be back when I can, whenever I feel healthy, whenever that is to help this team win," Harper said.
"Granted, if we’re out of it, I’m going to come back and play no matter what, just so I know that I can go out there and play the game. I don’t want that to be my last day playing this year."
Phillies' chances won't improve with the best hitter gone for about two months, but getting him back before the season's end could make a big difference.
Rhys Hoskins, Kyle Schwarber, and the rest of the lineup will have to make up for Harper's absence until he is back to full health.
