Phillies' Bryce Harper Expected to Return from Elbow Injury Tuesday vs. Dodgers

Bryce Harper could return to the Phillies as soon as Tuesday night.

If cleared by a doctor in Los Angeles on Monday, Harper will slot into the Phillies lineup as designated hitter to face the Dodgers on Tuesday, per NBC Sports' Corey Seidman.

Harper had Tommy John surgery on Nov. 23. The Phillies originally planned for him to return around the MLB All-Star break in July, but The Athletic's Matt Gelb reports Harper's recovery has progressed faster than anticipated.

Tommy John surgery, which involves the reconstruction of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) on the inside of the elbow, usually requires a recovery of 12 to 18 months, according to MLB. Harper could make his return in six.

Harper has been rehabbing only as a hitter, which expedited his return timeline, Gelb reports. Eventually, the Phillies hope to move Harper to first base.

By April 11, Harper was ready to hit in games, but Phillies manager Rob Thomson said he had to be cleared to do a head-first slide before he could rejoin the lineup.

"Once he gets on base, then we can put a brace on him," Thomson said, per NBC Sports. "But if he hits a double, we can't hand a brace off to him as he's rounding first base. That's where it gets dangerous."

Harper's follow-up appointment with the doctor who performed his surgery in Los Angeles on Monday will determine whether his repaired elbow is ready for that kind of game action.

The Phillies hitter slashed .286/.364/.514 through 99 games of a rough 2022 season, during which he missed time because of a fractured left thumb and was moved to the DH position after rupturing his UCL in April. When Harper is cleared to return to first base, it will be his first time in the Phillies field in over a year.

Harper has been facing live pitching from hurlers like Ranger Suarez and Nick Nelson over the past few weeks, NBC Sports reports.