By Sam Bush
Here is what NBCSP’s Corey Seidman is reporting:
Harper has progressed to high velocity in the batting cages and has hit off the breaking ball machine. On Tuesday, he took ground balls at first base and practiced modified sliding.
Sliding is what’s holding back his return. Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Tuesday that Harper would be ready to hit in a game today, but again emphasized the risks associated with sliding. One false move could result in his ulnar collateral ligament rupturing again.
“Once he gets on base, then we can put a brace on him,” Thomson said. “But if he hits a double, we can’t hand a brace off to him as he’s rounding first base. That’s really where it gets dangerous.”
Bryce Harper is ready to play in a game but the Phillies are protective of him because he could rupture ligament again sliding
From @CSeidmanNBCS https://t.co/fQXeOQXiDU
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) April 11, 2023
