After being stuck, Harper hopes to stick to recovery plan
PHILADELPHIA » Two days after his platelet-rich plasma injection, Bryce Harper was sore but hopeful Tuesday, as the Phillies began a threegame set with San Diego at Citizens Bank Park.
He was also unavailable as he tries to banish the general soreness out of his right elbow. After the Phillies won their first three games in Los Angeles against the Dodgers, Harper missed Sunday’s game to get the PRP shot, an effort to avoid surgery on the ulnar collateral ligament in his right (throwing) elbow. That was the move by noted orthopedic surgeon Neal ElAttrache.
“I’ll see how I feel tomorrow,” Harper said. “I’m planning on either tomorrow or hopefully Thursday being in there.”
Wait-and-see is nothing new. It’ll take seven to 10 days for the shot to take effect, and he’s unlikely to throw for at least four weeks. Harper said his “main goal” is to be back in right field this season, but he’s got to get there the right way. With nine years and $300 million remaining on his deal, the organization would concur.
Though it is his throwing arm, it’s actually preferable
from a hitting perspective, as his bottom hand. The numbers indicate it’s not hampering him: Harper is batting .305, tied for the league lead with nine homers and 14 doubles.
“I don’t feel it when I hit, so I’m very lucky with that,” he said. “As of right now, we’re going to just stick with DHing and see how I feel each day.”
The injection was scheduled before an off day to get Harper an extra day to recuperate. He hopes to only miss two games. The off day came on the heels of a 14-for-23 road trip, including the most extra-base hits in a three-game stretch in Dodgers Stadium history.
“I want to be out there, I want to be helping my team, especially against a great team in San Diego,” Harper said. “I think that was the perfect day to get it, though.”