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Phillies Make Major Bryce Harper Injury Decision on Thursday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jake Elman | Last updated Jun 19, 2025 6:05 PM ET

All-Star first baseman Bryce Harper is finally inching closer to reclaiming his place in the Philadelphia Phillies' lineup.

Harper, who has been out since late May with a right wrist injury, threw and took dry swings on Thursday afternoon. That's the first time he's done either since hitting the injured list, and it marks a massive step forward from taking ground balls last weekend.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Phillies plan to get Harper "outside tomorrow and throw a little bit longer/further, and potentially hit off the tee."

The Inquirer's Lochlahn March added that the Phillies "will have more clarity" on a recovery timeline come Friday.

Otto Kemp is starting at first base for the seventh straight game on Thursday night. Kemp, a 25-year-old rookie from California, went 10-for-36 with four RBI and a .639 OPS in his first 10 games.

Harper hit the IL batting .258 with nine home runs, 34 RBI, and a .814 OPS over 253 at-bats. He's posted 1.5 bWAR for the second-place Phillies, who entered Thursday trailing the New York Mets by one game in the NL East.

The 44-30 Phillies had a 4 1/2 game lead in the NL Wild Card race as of publication. They would be the National League's No. 4 seed and play the San Francisco Giants if the postseason began today.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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