Bryce Harper provides very honest answers as he returns from injured list
TORONTO, CANADA - JUNE 3: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies walks to the dugout between innings during their MLB game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on June 3, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
Offensive help is on the way for the Phillies.
Prior to Monday night’s game against the Padres, the Phils reinstated Bryce Harper from the 10-day injured list. To make room on the 26-man roster, Buddy Kennedy was designated for assignment.
Harper was placed on the IL retroactive to June 6 with right wrist inflammation and has missed 22 games. Through 57 games this season, Harper is hitting .258 with nine home runs, 34 RBIs and an .814 OPS.
Shortly after his reinstatement, Harper spoke to the media at Citizens Bank Park on his decision to return, and his answer was very open.
“I didn’t think I was gonna take any other steps forward of feeling better or anything like that,” Harper said. “I thought we were kind of at a standstill of it staying the same the last couple of days. From [batting practice] to live [at-bats] and things like that, it kind of gave us the same results each day. So, thought today was a good one.”
Harper went on to note that his wrist is something he will have to manage. You can get the sense that he feels he is going to have to take some days off here and there, if needed, due to the wrist injury.
When originally placed on the IL, Harper said that his wrist had been bothering him last season. He felt good to start 2025, but when he was hit in the elbow by a Spencer Strider fastball, he felt it flare up again, leading to his placement on the IL.
Now, of course, we can all appreciate Harper’s eagerness to get back out there and play, but would it not be more beneficial to shut him down at least until the All-Star break so he is feeling as close to 100% as possible?
Harper’s answer on Monday leads us to believe he is not healthy, and his wrist is still an issue. This issue can still lead to another stint on the IL.
With Harper, why not rather be safe than sorry? The Phillies went 12-10 without him and have a 1.5 game lead over the Mets for first place. With 12 games to go until the break, I err on the side of caution.
Benjamin Goldstein
Benjamin has been covering Philly Sports for Philly Sports Reports since 2017. He is a podcaster, writer, and founder of Philly Sports Reports. Benjamin is also an intern at the WBCB Sports Network on 1490AM. Through Philly Sports Reports, Benjamin has gotten the opportunity to meet Phillies owner John Middleton in his suite and be honored as the Philadelphia sports fan of the week for KYW News Radio. He hopes to be reporting on Philly sports as a full-time job in the future.
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