Phillies manager reveals the barrier slowing Bryce Harper's rehab

While Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper continues to recover from offseason Tommy John Surgery, manager Rob Thompson revealed the one barrier preventing the All-Star outfielder from being farther along in his rehab. 

A guest on the 94 WIP Morning Show Wednesday, Thompson said that with the star outfielder roughly four months removed from major elbow surgery, sliding is the only issue preventing him from potential rehab at-bats.

"We got to get clearance doctors so that he feels like we can progress with the sliding," Thompson said. "Do some more aggressive head-first slides. That's how he does most of his sliding is head-first, and there is an injury factor there that he could rupture it again until we get clearance and we know everything is strong inside that elbow." 

Harper took another massive step in his recovery last week, participating in live batting practice for the first time. Initially expected to be out of action until at least the All-Star break, many now believe Harper could return to the team as soon as June or even May. While Thompson would not confirm that speculation, he did admit to having an idea.

"I'm not going to tell you, but I've got a date," Thompson said. 

Harper injured his elbow during the first month of the 2022 season and was subsequently relegated to the designated hitter role while being limited to only 99 games during campaign. He ultimately powered through the injury to help the Phillies advance to the World Series. 

Without Harper and first baseman Rhys Hoskins, who tore his ACL during a spring training contest in March, the Phillies are off to a sluggish start to the fresh campaign, winning only four of their first 11 games.