MLB Rumors: Bryce Harper bat signal, Mike Soroka’s concerning start, end of Adam Wainwright
By Kristen Wong
MLB Rumors: Phillies’ Bryce Harper is flying in his recovery from Tommy John surgery
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Bryce Harper! The Philadelphia Phillies star could return to the field just 160 days after his Tommy John surgery, which is a truly unbelievable recovery timeline.
Harper showed off his superhuman strength slamming balls out of Citizens Bank Park, and now he apparently has superhuman healing powers, too.
Bryce Harper could return as soon as Tuesday, just 160 days after undergoing Tommy John surgery last November.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 1, 2023
Harper would be the fastest major-league player on record to return from the surgery (going by the date of his first MLB game action). pic.twitter.com/locVjtnffM
What a day this could be for the city of Philadelphia. With 76ers’ Joel Embiid in line to receive the MVP award and the Eagles celebrating their latest draft wins, the Phillies are set to welcome back their beloved superstar on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium.
Harper still has to be cleared by the doctors on Monday, but these recent reports have Phillies fans walking on cloud nine, jaws hanging open in disbelief at how quickly Harper has bounced back from his surgery from November 23.
Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said of Harper’s swift recovery:
"“Amazing. He’s absolutely amazing. He’s a great athlete. He works hard. He’s focused. He wants to get back. I mean, it’s amazing what he’s accomplished. We have that next step (with the doctor to clear him). But the progress he’s made is phenomenal.”"
The club had previously expected Harper to return as a designated hitter by the All-Star break, but if he returns on Tuesday, he’ll have shortened that timetable by more than two months.
Harper’s imminent season debut will be one worth salivating over.