Phillies star Bryce Harper made his return to the team’s lineup Tuesday, just 160 days after he underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in November.
Harper’s return is the quickest return to action from such a procedure in MLB history. The next fastest recovery was by Tony Womack in 2004 when he took 182 days to get back to action.
When the seven-time All-Star appeared at the plate on Wednesday, in his second game back, he sported a full arm brace over his jersey. Additionally, Harper wore a sliding glove on his left hand, leaving MLB fans questioning whether the designated hitter should even consider sliding right now.
The MLB world couldn’t believe its eyes when a picture of Harper sporting the brace went viral on social media on Wednesday. Fans were generally astonished with how quickly Harper made his return.
Bryce Harper playing baseball with a full blown cast on. Dude is a maniac pic.twitter.com/tD9OccDNV4
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 3, 2023
Give Bryce Harper a +10 in everything for playing with a cast on his arm today pic.twitter.com/o18NIKGASM
— Jeff Middleton (@jjmid04) May 3, 2023
Bryce Harper playing with that cast is a different type of playing. Straight beast.
— Nano (@Nanoooshh) May 3, 2023
Nah this is insane, Bryce we need you, take another month off please
— Nati Sports (@Nati_Sports) May 3, 2023
His aura is crazy https://t.co/Rbe2A9wfWf
— 𝙍𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙮🦇 (@WentzHOF) May 3, 2023
Bryce Harper is on base. He's going to wear a large brace on his right elbow when he's on the bases. He said it's similar to one J.J. Watt has used.
— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) May 3, 2023
In the top of the third inning against the Dodgers on Wednesday, Harper laced a double to record his first hit of the 2023 season. He gave a thumbs-up gesture to the Philadelphia dugout.
Bryce Harper gets his first hit of 2023 💪
— SI MLB (@si_mlb) May 3, 2023
(via @NBCSPhilly) pic.twitter.com/xchdLQvLL9
