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Bryce Harper to assess progress with early May doctor’s check-up
Bryce Harper to assess progress with early May doctor's check-up,Bryce Harper will meet with his doctor at the beginning of May as the Phillies look to nail down a concrete return date for their long-rehabbing star.

Bryce Harper to assess progress with early May doctor’s check-up

Soon, the Philadelphia Phillies should have a definitive answer as to when they should expect to have Bryce Harper’s bat back in its lineup. 

Harper, who continues to rehab from offseason Tommy John Surgery, is scheduled to see his doctor on May 1, an appointment which should provide more clarity on a return date for the All-Star. 

Bryce Harper took some swings today but the work he needs is at first base. #Phillies Mgr Rob Thomson said Harper will see doctor beginning of May. Rob Thomson also said he’s really not that close but moving forward. ⁦@SportsRadioWIP⁩ pic.twitter.com/fRmqo8ZljN

— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) April 20, 2023

Phillies manager Rob Thomson shared more positive news on the Harper front, revealing that the team does not plan to send the right fielder on a minor league rehab assignment once he receives medical clearance. 

“Once we get clearance from the doctor, we’ll see when he starts DHing, but it shouldn’t be too far after that,” Thomson said via Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia. 

Earlier this month, Harper took a tremendous step in rehab, participating in live batting practice for the first time since undergoing surgery in November. 

Anyone order some Bryce Harper vs. Ranger Suarez action? ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/KFseF8R6XT

— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) April 18, 2023

This week, Harper took at-bats in a simulated game against left-hander Ranger Suarez, who is also rehabbing from an injury. Thompson told Phillies radio host Gregg Murphy that Harper looked “encouraging,” adding that he nearly hit a ball out of the ballpark in one of his four simulated at-bats. 

Away from the plate — where Harper faces his rockiest road — the two-time MVP has graduated to sliding drills. He also threw from 60 feet on Thursday. 

This is the sort of modified headfirst sliding/diving Bryce Harper has been cleared to do, within the last week. What he has not been cleared to do yet is go all out and slide into an object at top speed. pic.twitter.com/jSa9JwxaEO

— Corey Seidman (@CSeidmanNBCS) April 19, 2023

Without Harper, the reigning National League Champions have struggled out to an 8-11 record heading into play Thursday. However, the Phillies have won four of their last six games coming off a series win on the road over the Chicago White Sox and are now set for a seven-game homestand.

The sooner the Phillies can insert a healthy Harper into their lineup, the better, regardless of how the team is playing. Philadelphia’s offense has yet to find any level of consistency, scoring two runs or fewer in seven games this season — including a pair of shutout showings.