Inside The Phillies

Philadelphia Phillies Set Timetable for Harper's First Start at First Base

The incredible recovery of Bryce Harper continues as the Philadelphia Phillies set a window for his first game playing first base.

Matthew Postins

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
In this story:

Bryce Harper’s first start as Philadelphia Phillies first baseman will come during the series with the Milwaukee Brewers, per MLB.com.

That series starts on Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park. It ends on Thursday. The Phillies did not specify which game Harper would make his first start.

The Phillies said after the All-Star Break that it was possible Harper could play first base in this weekend’s series with San Diego.

This is the next step in Harper’s incredible recovery from Tommy John surgery, the fastest for any position player.

Harper started the season on the injured list after he had Tommy John surgery in the offseason for a partially torn UCL ligament, one he played with for the majority of last season as the Phillies made a run to the World Series.

He was cleared to return to baseball 159 days later, beating a record timetable set by Tony Womack (182 days) in 2004.

Since he returned, he has served strictly as a designated hitter and on Saturday he snapped a career-long homerless streak of 166 plate appearances. That home run helped the Phillies wrap up a doubleheader victory over the San Diego Padres. Harper’s home run was his fourth of the season.

The Phillies wrap up their series with the Padres on Sunday, which is followed by an off-day on Monday.

More From SI's Inside The Phillies:

Published
Matthew Postins
MATTHEW POSTINS

Matthew Postins is an award-winning sports journalist who covers the Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros for Sports Illustrated/FanNation. He also covers he Big 12 for Heartland College Sports.

Home/News