(Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
The journey back from Tommy John surgery has been a remarkable one for Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper.
The former National League MVP was activated by the defending NL champions on Tuesday night before their game against the surging Los Angeles Dodgers.
The veteran slugger was initially expected to not return until July.
However, Harper shattered those expectations and made his triumphant return to the Phillies lineup on Tuesday at Dodger Stadium.
And there were plenty of Phillies fans who had made the trip to Los Angeles in attendance for his first game back.
When Harper stepped to the plate, Phillies fans were on their feet and cheering for the former MVP.
Bryce Harper back 160 days after Tommy John surgery.
It’s absurd. pic.twitter.com/P4WzTNirjC
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) May 3, 2023
Harper injured his elbow last season, but was lucky enough to be able to play through the injury thanks to the universal designated hitter being added in the most recent CBA.
If not for the rule, Harper would have been out for the entire season.
But he served as the Phillies’ DH for the rest of the season and had an impressive run during the postseason, even earning NLCS MVP honors.
The last time the veteran slugger was in the lineup for the Phillies was on November 5 of last year for Game 6 of the World Series against the Houston Astros.
Harper had Tommy John surgery shortly after the World Series ended.
But in a stunning turn of events, Harper was well ahead of schedule and ultimately found his way back to the Phillies lineup much earlier than expected.
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