Bryce Harper has been out of action for nearly two months after he was hit by a pitch and fractured his thumb in late June. Harper began a rehab assignment on Tuesday, playing with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. The reigning National League MVP did not take long to get his swing back.
In the first at-bat of his rehab assignment, Harper launched a ball well over the right field wall for a no-doubter home run.
In his first rehab AB, @bryceharper3 goes yard! pic.twitter.com/BK6DdrTYOc
— MLB (@MLB) August 23, 2022
Harper is one of baseball’s best and most recognizable players. So, given how long he’s been out of action, making this kind of first impression in his rehab assignment was bound to garner a lot of attention.
That’s exactly what happened here.
He’s baaaaaccckkkkk pic.twitter.com/YMHj8ELgHb
— Allie Berube (@allieberube) August 24, 2022
You gotta be kidding 🔥 pic.twitter.com/4DbhQXAxYC
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) August 23, 2022
“I’m ready.”
– Bryce Harper, probably #RingTheBell | @SportsRadioWIP pic.twitter.com/1Ubee9CqNU
— Audacy Sports (@AudacySports) August 23, 2022
CALL THE KID UP!! pic.twitter.com/eGfGGXXqCl
— Ryan M. Spaeder (@theaceofspaeder) August 24, 2022
Bryce Harper looking REAL good. 👏 https://t.co/X6U3UZcxoa
— theScoreBet (@theScoreBet) August 23, 2022
This guy is special. Period. https://t.co/7P2OotRmgP
— Ed Glavin (@EdGlavin) August 24, 2022
Coming soon to a major league park near you👀
(via @MLB)
— Stadium (@Stadium) August 23, 2022
Harper is one of the most powerful hitters in baseball. So, while this home run is definitely remarkable, it’s far from surprising, even when considering how long he’s been out of action.
Harper hit .309/.429 /.615 with 35 home runs in 2021 en route to his second National League MVP award in 2021. He was showing similar form in 2022. While injuries had limited Harper largely to the designated hitter role, he was hitting .318/.386/.599 with 15 home runs at the time of his injury.
Fortunately, the Phillies have managed to stay afloat with Harper on the shelf. Entering Tuesday, they were 29-20 since Harper got hurt. At 67-55 overall, Philadelphia occupies the second Wild Card spot in the National League. If Harper can return to the lineup in top form, the Phillies will have a good chance at making their first playoff appearance since 2011.
[MLB on Twitter, Photo Credit: Lehigh Valley IronPigs]