Bryce Harper comments on potential early return from Tommy John surgery

Once expected to be out until at least the MLB All-Star Break following offseason Tommy John surgery, Bryce Harper believes he could return to the Philadelphia Phillies lineup even sooner. 

Earlier this week, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said the team wouldn't place Harper on the 60-day IL to start 2023, leaving the door open for a potential late-May comeback. Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Harper explained why he feels ahead of schedule. 

"Trying to leave that door open, just in case. If it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. If it does, then great. Right? I think it's just because I'm feeling good right now," Harper said via MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. "Like I told you guys at the beginning of camp, it could be after [the All-Star break], it could be before. If things keep progressing the way they are, then I feel good about [Dombrowski] saying what he did. If I have something that happens, then we're pretty much on track for where we are." 

Cleared for "dry swings" in February, Harper has progressed to hitting off a tee and taking soft-toss hacks at the plate every other day, nearly a month ahead of his initial timetable. 

While Harper may want to push it to get back on the field as soon as possible, the Phillies don't seem to be in much of a rush. Last season, Harper was relegated to the designated hitter role from May onward, and the Phillies survived. With Kyle Schwarber, Nick Castellanos and Brandon Marsh filling the outfield and first baseman Darick Hall capable of manning DH, the defending National League champs could make do without Harper again until he's ready to go. 

The torn UCL in Harper's right elbow didn't seem to impact him at the plate in 2022. Limited to only 99 regular-season games last season, Harper still had a solid year, slashing .286/.364/.514 with 18 home runs and 65 RBI. 

In the postseason, Harper was even more impressive. Over 17 playoff games, Harper batted .349/.414/.746 with six home runs and 13 RBI, earning NLCS MVP honors during the Phillies' remarkable ride to the World Series. 

After adding several exciting offseason additions, including shortstop Trea Turner, when Harper does return, the Phillies may boast arguably one of the most fearsome lineups in all of MLB.