First baseman Bryce Harper first reported wrist discomfort in May 2024. Although the issue appeared to improve over time, it has resurfaced more than a year later. As a result, the Philadelphia Phillies placed their star player on the 10-day injured list on June 7, hoping that some time off will help finally resolve the lingering problem.
Harper is a fierce competitor and the undeniable face of the franchise, so seeing him sidelined by a lingering injury has understandably left the team and its fans questioning what comes next. While the Phillies have shown they can win without him in the short term, the long-term implications are more uncertain. If this wrist issue continues to flare up throughout the season, it’s fair to ask just how effective Harper can be—and whether the lineup behind him can maintain its potency without his consistent presence in the heart of the order.
Unclear timeline for Bryce Harper’s return from wrist injury won’t be what Phillies fans want to hear
“It’s been long enough to where it’s gotten to the point where I can’t really function on a baseball field or hit a baseball or anything like that,” Harper said in Pittsburgh, via MLB.com’s Paul Casella. “So, it’s just a good time for me to take some time and get it right.”
The concerning part, according to Casella, is that neither Harper nor the Phillies have a clear timeline for his return, leaving the situation clouded with uncertainty.
“Just got to get through the treatment phase and see what I can do,” Harper said. “But we’ve got to get it to calm down and [I’ll] get out there when I can.”
His words reflect a cautious approach, as both he and the team focus on managing the discomfort and waiting for signs of progress before making any return decisions.
Harper has since undergone treatment and is beginning to feel better, according to a report from Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic on Tuesday. However, despite the encouraging update, there’s still no clear answer as to how long he’ll remain sidelined. The uncertainty surrounding his timeline continues to loom large for both the team and its fans.
As much as the Phillies’ lineup has struggled at times, losing Bryce Harper for any stretch is a major concern. Last season, they held their own during his absence, going 10–7 while he was sidelined with a hamstring strain—much of that without Kyle Schwarber, too. They managed to stay afloat until both stars returned to the field.
This year, however, has been less forgiving. The team has stumbled to a 3–7 record with Harper out of the lineup, and it’s worth noting he had already missed five games the week before after taking a 95 mph fastball from Spencer Strider off his elbow. The combination of lingering injuries and inconsistent performance is beginning to take its toll.
The Phillies still have the pieces for a high-powered lineup, but they haven’t quite found their rhythm since their hot 36–20 start. While the offense has struggled—batting just .223 as a team in June heading into Wednesday’s series finale against the Cubs—it’s not the only area of concern.
Pitching has also taken a hit. Prior to Jesús Luzardo’s impressive outing on Wednesday, the Phillies had posted a 5.33 ERA over their last 10 games, with starters struggling to a 6.15 ERA and the bullpen holding a 4.27 mark. The team’s current slump is the result of multiple areas underperforming, not just a sluggish offense.
The Phillies are definitely in the middle of a rough stretch, but their thrilling 11-inning walk-off win over the Cubs on Monday—highlighted by Paul Casella—and Tuesday’s 7–2 victory could be just what they needed to snap out of it. Even the best teams go through slumps, and this could ultimately be just a small blip in an otherwise strong season.
That said, they can’t afford a repeat of last year’s late-season slide. Momentum matters, and while this group has the talent to turn things around, consistency will be key if they want to avoid déjà vu down the stretch.
The Phillies still have a legitimate shot at representing the National League this year, even if Bryce Harper isn’t fully healthy. It’s far from an ideal scenario, but it’s certainly not unprecedented. Baseball fans only need to look back at Freddie Freeman gutting through the playoffs last year on a sprained ankle, or the Braves’ 2021 championship run after losing Ronald Acuña Jr. to a torn ACL, to see that adversity doesn’t automatically spell the end.
Harper can afford to be patient with his recovery, especially if it means finally putting this nagging issue behind him. And Phillies fans should remember—this is the same guy who powered through the second half of a magical 2022 World Series run with a torn UCL. If anyone can come back and still be a force, it’s Bryce Harper.
