Bryce Harper not willing to hasten his recovery after Tommy John surgery, keeps fans in the dark about his date of return

Outfielder Bryce Harper was a major reason why his team, the Philadelphia Phillies, made the postseason in 2022 for the first time in 11 seasons.

Not only did they make the postseason, but they steamrolled all their National League opposition to ascend to their first World Series. Although they fell to the Houston Astros in the Fall Classic by a series score of 4-2, the team inspired their entire fanbase with the playoff run.

True to form, Harper was excellent in the Phillies' 2022 playoff push. The 30-year-old had six home runs and 13 RBIs, including two home runs and five RBIs in their NLCS win over the San Diego Padres. Harper was named the MVP of the series.

"Bryce Harper ended up having Tommy John surgery today and could be back in mid-May, per @JSalisburyNBCS" - @ Fox Sports MLB

But 2022 was not without its challenges for Bryce Harper. In May, he suffered a tear in his right ulnar collateral ligament. The injury to his throwing arm led to him being repositioned away from his usual outfield spot and into a DH role for the Philadelphia Phillies.

As the season went on, despite his hitting brilliance, Harper's arm continued to wear on him. Following the culmination of the 2022 season, Harper announced that he would have to undergo Tommy John surgery to repair his damaged UCL. He successfully underwent the procedure in Los Angeles on November 23rd.

In a recent piece for The Athletic, writer Jayson Stark explored Harper's options for returning to the MLB in 2023. The Phillies originally cited the All-Star break in mid-July as a reference point for when Harper might be back in the lineup.

Regarding the question of whether or not Harper will be able to return to the outfield, the Las Vegas native was noncommittal. He offered a straight-to-the-point answer regarding whether or not he would be back by the All-Star break:

"I could be after, I could be before. But we're going to be smart about it."

---

Bryce Harper's prolonged absence will allow the Phillies room to play around

Although Harper was the Phillies' best hitter last season, the team has made some interesting new moves this offseason. Chief among them was the signing of former Los Angeles Dodgers star Trea Turner, who looks to be a shoe-in for the leadoff role. The Phillies will face difficulty coming up on top of divisional rivals like the New York Mets and will miss Harper dearly.