Phillies expect Harper to report in 2 weeks

Bryce Harper’s arrival at spring training camp remains a couple of weeks away as the Phillies slugger recovers from elbow surgery.

Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Thursday that Harper is taking swings with a bat at home in Las Vegas and will report March 8 or 9.

Harper had surgery on his right elbow in November after leading the Phillies to the NL pennant. The Phillies said then that Harper was expected to return in a designated hitter role by the All-Star break and could play right field by season’s end.

“He’s doing great from the recovery perspective,” Dombrowski said.

The 30-year-old Harper sustained small tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in April.

He had a platelet-rich plasma injection in May and shifted to DH, and then went on to help the Phillies reach their first World Series since 2009, and they lost to the Astros in six games.

In 17 postseason games, Harper hit .349 with six homers and 13 RBIs. The two-time NL MVP hit .286 with 18 homers and 65 RBIs in 99 games.

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