(Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia Phillies have dealt with more than their fair share of injuries this season.
They began the year without former MVP Bryce Harper and also lost Rhys Hoskins for the season due to a torn ACL.
However, Harper has defied all expectations and is set to officially make his return to the Phillies lineup on Tuesday night as the defending National League champions match up with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The veteran slugger is set to handle designated hitter duties at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday night.
On Twitter, Jeff Passan of ESPN reported the news of Harper’s return to the Phillies lineup.
Only 159 days after Tommy John surgery, two-time MVP Bryce Harper has been cleared to play by the Philadelphia Phillies, sources tell ESPN. A remarkable recovery, shattering expectations he’d return in July. He’s expected to be in the lineup starting at designated hitter Tuesday.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) May 1, 2023
This will be a huge boost for the Phillies.
The defending NL champs are already playing some pretty good baseball as of late.
But having Harper back could give them a huge jolt and put them in a position to challenge the Atlanta Braves for the top spot in the National League East.
The Phils are in fourth place in the NL East and are just 4.5 games back of Atlanta as they sit at the .500 mark.
Harper’s return comes at the perfect time for the Phillies as well, as they have also been receiving some key contributions from Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh.
The Phillies overcame a rocky start to the season last year and barely snuck into the postseason, winning the third NL Wild Card with just 87 wins.
They proceeded to eliminate the St. Louis Cardinals, the Braves, and the San Diego Padres en route to their first World Series appearance since 2009.
The post The Phillies Will Be Getting An Unexpected Jolt On Tuesday appeared first on The Cold Wire.