Harper’s throwing arm still achy, no timetable for return to RF originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Bryce Harper went through a defensive workout on the field at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday afternoon.
Noticeably absent was any kind of throwing.
“Just trying to keep the glovework going, that’s about it,” Harper said after taking ground balls from outfield coach Paco Figueroa.
Harper is still feeling the effects of a strain in the flexor region of his right arm. He started his 16th straight game as the Phillies’ designated hitter Wednesday night and there remains no timetable for when he’ll return to right field. He last played the position on April 16.
“I miss playing, I really do,” Harper said. “I want to be out there helping my team on both sides of the ball. I miss playing right.”
Harper met with team medical personnel on Tuesday and was not cleared to throw.
“Still pretty much the same thing, sit and wait,” he said. “That’s about it. It’s pretty much the same report we had last time. We’ll see day by day when we can throw again, when I feel good and can let it go the way I want to. You know how I throw from the outfield. I throw as hard as I can. It’s just not there yet. Everyday activity is fine. When I try to throw, it aches.”
Manager Joe Girardi reiterated that the team won’t play Harper in right field until the strain has healed and he’s 100 percent healthy.
“We’re not going to push him because when we get him back, we want him back,” Girardi said. “We don’t want a setback.”
Harper said he was grateful that he could continue to contribute as the DH. He entered Wednesday night hitting .288 with four doubles, a triple, three homers and eight RBIs in 15 games as the DH.
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