Bryce Harper is optimistic he will be back for the Philadelphia Phillies this season, he just does not know when.
The Phillies slugger, who went on the IL last month with a fractured left thumb, spoke to reporters before Tuesday night’s game against the Washington Nationals about his potential return.
“I don’t want to give anybody a timetable because I don’t know,” Harper said. “If I knew a specific date that I’d be back, I’d tell you. I just don’t think it’s fair to anybody. I’ll be back when I’m ready to go.”
The reigning NL MVP had three pins inserted into his left thumb, which he broke after he was hit by a 97-mph fastball from Padres pitcher Blake Snell on June 25. The pins will not be removed for another three weeks as Harper wore a cast and is unable to throw.
The Phillies have gone 4-3 since Harper, who is hitting .318 with 15 home runs, 48 RBI and a .985 OPS, went on the IL and entered Tuesday eight games behind the Mets in the NL East but just one game behind the St. Louis Cardinals for a wild-card spot.
“I don’t want to hope or think about anything,” Harper added. “I just want to go day by day and be back when I can, whenever I feel healthy, whenever that is to help this team win. Granted, if we’re out of it, I’m going to come back and play no matter what, just so I know that I can go out there and play the game. I don’t wan that to be my last day playing this year.”
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