Inside The Phillies

Bryce Harper Could Forgo Rehab Assignment for Quicker Return to Phillies

Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper could opt out of a minor league rehab assignment in order to get back to the team quicker according to a new report.

Kade Kistner

Bryce Harper Could Forgo Rehab Assignment for Quicker Return to Phillies
Bryce Harper Could Forgo Rehab Assignment for Quicker Return to Phillies /
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The Philadelphia Phillies were already expecting Bryce Harper to return at a blistering pace from Tommy John surgery. He is a notoriously quick healer and he is a competitor. 

There is a reason why the team elected not to place him on the 60-day injured list allowing for a return by late May. 

But that timeline may have just been bumped up even sooner. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Harper may not have to do a rehab assignment in the minor leagues. Something that is quite common and universally expected after undergoing the injury and surgery he did.

“I really don’t know if he will go on an assignment,” said manager Rob Thomson.

“I mean, if he’s swinging the bat well and he feels good, I say why waste it?”

That would be an absolute revelation. In fact, by forgoing a rehab assignment, Harper could be back as much as two weeks sooner than previously expected. That could put him at an early to mid-May arrival. 

How huge of a boost that would be for this Philadelphia Phillies team. 

More From SI's Inside The Phillies:

  1. Phillies Star Bryce Harper Doesn't Hold Back on Thoughts About Joe Girardi
  2. How Mike Trout Will Join the Phillies
  3. Could Bryce Harper's Favorite MLB Player Join the Philadelphia Phillies in 2023?
  4. Could The Phillies Soon Be Playing in Wawa Park?
  5. Bryce Harper-Obsessed Japanese Baseball Star Wants to Play for Phillies
  6. Six Philadelphia Phillies Declare Free Agency
  7. Rumored Phillies Free Agent Target Just Opted Out of Contract
  8. Jimmy Rollins Describes Disrespectful Treatment by Ryne Sandberg
  9. Phillies Release 2023 Regular Season Schedule
  10. Picking the Phillies' All-Time Single Season Lineup

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Kade Kistner
KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Phillies. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl.  During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated.  Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.

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