Phillies notebook: Bryce Harper, J.T. Realmuto, Taijuan Walker
By Kevin Henry
Phillies notebook: Bryce Harper staying aggressive in return to lineup
While the two-time MVP has just returned to the Phillies lineup after Tommy John surgery, he was adamant in postgame interviews on Friday night that he isn’t changing his style of play just because of another injury and surgery.
Harper went 2-for-4 in Friday’s win with a two-run double that gave the Phillies the lead in the eighth inning. However, it was what he did after that that had plenty of Phillies fans taking notice.
After reaching second on the double, Harper saw the opportunity to swipe third and took advantage of it. As he reached third, the throw from Rockies catcher Elias Diaz deflected into left field, allowing Harper to continue on to home with Philadelphia’s sixth run of the night.
Third base had already claimed J.T. Realmuto as an injury earlier in the game (more about that in a moment), so was Harper taking a chance on his own health with that steal? He brushed off any thought of it after the game in his comments to reporters.
“I don’t want to play like that,” Harper said, referring to any hesitation on the base paths. “I think this might sound bad right now, but if it (elbow) blows, it blows. That’s my feeling. I felt that way with my thumb. I felt that way with my knee. I don’t want to try to get over the hump. I just want to get through it.
“I believe in my surgeon to do what he did and he was able to do that. I believe in my training staff and our mindset, going out there and playing.”
It’s not only about playing for Harper, but playing smart as well.
“I’m not going to be reckless of course, but I don’t want to go out there and be hesitant because when you’re hesitant and you’re playing that way, that’s where you get hurt and ‘Oh man, I shouldn’t be doing that,’” Harper said. “Go out there and play the game that I know how and pick my spots and be smart in those opportunities.”