“I just need to play smart this week” - Bryce Harper takes a new approach after returning from injury alongside Kyle Schwarber

On June 27, Bryce Harper suffered a left hamstring injury while running to first base in the ninth inning against the Miami Marlins. On the same day, the designated hitter Kyle Schwarber strained his groin and had to take some time off from the team as well.

A couple of weeks later, as the Phillies prepare to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in a home series, Harper and Schwarber are now ready to return.

While addressing the media, Bryce Harper expressed his concerns regarding his health, saying he needs to be cautious in the next few days before the All-Star break.

"Obviously, I’ve got to play smart this week,” he said. “Not go crazy, I’d imagine. Try to do the best I can to get into the break. Do it the right way and have a good week. Not throwing the cloak on, you know? Just understanding what I need to do to stay in the lineup," Harper said.

"Everybody knows the kind of player I am and how I go about it. But, obviously, for the long haul I just need to play smart this week," Harper added.

Harper is currently one of the top candidates for this year's MVP award, which would be the third of his career. He has delivered 20 home runs with 58 RBIs and a .303 batting average. He's already won National League Player of the Month for both May and June.

Bryce Harper return results in some roster moves by the Phillies

Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber are back in the lineup after their injury stints. Even though the team did well without them, these sluggers bring serious power back to the batting order.

Outfielder David Dahl was designated for assignment to make room for Harper and Schwarber. They also optioned infielder Kody Clemens to Triple-A.

Dahl was crushing it in the minors (.340 BA, 12 HR), but it wasn't enough to keep his spot on the big league roster.

After a homer in his debut and another a few games later, he's struggled with a low batting average (.207) in his last 58 plate appearances. The Phillies can't send him down to the minors anymore, so they had to make a tough decision.

Dahl is now designated for assignment (DFA). This means he's on the trading block for the next week. The Phillies have a few days to find a team willing to take a chance on him, or he'll become a free agent.