PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JUNE 15: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies swings during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park on June 15, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
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Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper made the most of his first at-bat since returning from a left thumb injury.
The Philadelphia Phillies have been without Bryce Harper for nearly two months after he was hit by a pitch that snapped his left thumb. Phillies fans were aware his return was close after seeing updates from his rehab assignment last week. Then interim manager Rob Thomson made it official – Harper would return on Friday, August 26 in Philadelphia’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
As Harper entered the batter’s box at Citizens Bank Park, Phillies fans gave him a rousing, standing ovation.
Bryce Harper gets most of his first at-bat back from injury
Harper’s first at-bat had a chance to be impactful, as the bases were loaded with no outs recorded. On a 2-2 pitch thrown by Bryse Wilson, Harper lined a single to right field, allowing Kyle Schwarber and Rhys Hoskins to score, giving Philadelphia an early 2-0 lead.
In late June, Harper was hit on the left hand by a pitch thrown by Blake Snell of the San Diego Padres. It was later discovered that his left thumb was broken and he underwent surgery.
Last week, Harper held his rehab assignment with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs. His brief stint was successful. He hit two home runs in one game and recorded a double in another, both of which were against the Gwinnett Stripers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves.
Harper is back, and at the perfect time, as the Phillies look to use the last stretch of the season to clinch a postseason berth for the first time since 2011.
