3 days ago
Phillies Urged to Be Cautious With Bryce Harper's Return 'No Need to Rush Him Back'
Phillies Urged to Be Cautious With Bryce Harper's Return 'No Need to Rush Him Back' originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Philadelphia Phillies are a team that seemingly lives and dies by the production of Bryce Harper. After getting hit in the elbow by a Spencer Strider pitch, things in Philadelphia haven't been the same since.
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With the Phillies needing Harper to get healthy and return to form, Evan Macy of Philly urged the Phillies to be cautious with Harper's injury and eventual return.
"There is no need to rush him back." Macy writes. "A true contending team should have the luxury of being patient with a superstar."
Harper is in his 14th MLB season, and seventh with the Phillies. During his time in Philadelphia, Harper has routinely missed time. Whether it's for load management or an injury, Harper hasn't played more than 145 games in a season since his 2019 season, the first in a Phillies uniform.
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (3) walks towards the dugout after the third out against the Toronto Blue Jays during the fourth inning at Rogers Turchiaro-Imagn Images
With concerns over Harper's health mounting after his latest wrist issue, the call for the Phillies to be patient is a justifiable one. This Phillies roster should be more than capable of winning games and staying afloat in the National League for a postseason berth.
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Sitting Harper for an extended period, allowing him to recover, is the right call in the long term. This Phillies team is looking to win the World Series, not just make the postseason.
If Harper is rushed back, the Phillies will be risking a re-injury or a setback in his production. Getting Harper more time to heal would be a smart move. The Phillies are looking to make a deep playoff run, and a couple extra wins in June and July don't compare to having a healthy Harper for the postseason.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
