A return for Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper could happen as soon as Monday.
First baseman Harper has not appeared in a game since June 5 due to a lingering right wrist problem and has been on the Phillies’ 10-day injured list since June 7 as he’s been rehabbing the injury. However, Harper has since started to face live pitching and could be expected to return for General Manager Rob Thomson sooner than anticipated.
Prior to being placed on the IL, the 32-year-old hit .258/.368/.446 (123 OPS+) with nine home runs and 34 runs batted in over the course of his first 57 games this season.
When Could Bryce Harper Return?
According to CBS Sports, Thomson said on Sunday that a Monday activation was “not necessarily” out of the question for Harper, but that it does depend on how Harper feels on Monday after using Sunday for rest and recovery purposes.
“If you had told me three weeks ago [I’d be] where I am now, I would have said you’re kind of crazy,” Harper said to mlb.com on Friday. “So I’m very happy with where I am. I’m way farther ahead than I felt like I would be. Definitely way healthier than I was a couple weeks ago.”
Bryce Harper has a scheduled “rest and recovery” day today.
Asked if it was “out of the realm of possibility” that Harper would be activated on Monday, Rob Thomson said: “No, not necessarily.”
Might be Monday, might not — but Harper’s return seems imminent.
— Paul Casella (@Paul_CasellaMLB) June 29, 2025
Harper also spent time on the IL earlier this year due to an elbow contusion from a hit-by-pitch. However, that only required five days of rest before the wrist injury reared its ugly head once again.
In 2012, Harper earned the NL Rookie of the Year award when he was 19 years old. Since then, he has become an eight-time All-Star (2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, and 2024) and won the Home Run Derby in 2018.
The former No. 1 pick has a career high of 35 home runs with the Phillies, which he tallied in 2019 but also tied in 2021.
The Phillies will host a week-long homestand against the San Diego Padres and the Cincinnati Reds, beginning on Monday. First pitch against the Padres is slated for 6:35 p.m.
“I think next week is definitely in play,” Harper said. “But I don’t want to solidify which day or anything like that. But I’m happy with where I’m at.”
Without Harper, the Phillies are currently sitting on top of the National League East with a 49-25 record, though they only hold a one-game lead over the New York Mets.