Harper sets no timetable for surgically repaired thumb, says he’ll return this season

PHILADELPHIA » Bryce Harper was adamant about two things Tuesday afternoon: He doesn’t know when his fractured left thumb will allow him to return to the field. He does know that date will be in 2022.

“I’ll be back,” Harper said in his best Schwarzenegger. “… I don’t (when) right now, but I’ll be back.”

That was the only timeline the reigning National League MVP offered in his first comments since a 97.2 mph Blake Snell fastball fractured his thumb on June 25 in San Diego. Harper is determined to not allow that to be his final baseball bow of 2022. And while he was unwilling to set a timetable, he confidently declared without hesitation that he will return.

“I don’t want to hope or think about anything,” Harper said. “I just want to go day by day and be back when I can, whenever I feel healthy, whenever that is, to be able to help this team win. If we’re in it, if we’re out of it, I’m going to come back and play no matter what; to know that I can go out there and play the game. I don’t want that to be my last game playing this year, that game in San Diego.”

Harper had surgery last Wednesday, with three pins inserted in his thumb. The only recovery parameter he shared was that the pins require four weeks of healing. He consulted with several surgeons before having the procedure in Philadelphia, all of whom told him it was a relatively simple repair.

Harper’s rehab may not be quite so straightforward given his co-injury challenge. Harper was batting .318 with 15 home runs and 48 RBIs, but most of that was in the designated hitter spot while nursing a ligament tear in his right (throwing) elbow. When Snell’s heater clipped him, he was in a multi-week process of rest for his elbow in an effort to avoid Tommy John surgery.

That continues, even though Harper has damage to both arms. Inadvertently, it makes resting his elbow easier, but he missed a scheduled elbow exam last week.

For now, he’s dealing with the pain of surgery and focused on healing both wings. But Harper’s vision for his return in 2022, it went without saying, featured a glove, two healthy arms and him patrolling right field at Citizens Bank Park.

“I will still continue my elbow and shoulder program, and when I can put a glove on my left hand and be able to catch a ball, I’ll start throwing and things like that,” Harper said. “See how that kind of goes and see where we’re at. It gives me another two or three weeks of hanging out with my elbow and hopefully letting it get to where it needs to be for me to feel healthy and throw a baseball. …

“I think there’s a good opportunity for me not to rush it. But at the same time, if it feels good, I’m going to go. I want to play out there, I want to be out there, I want to be helping this team. But whenever that is, I’ll be back.”

Until the All-Star break, Harper won’t spend that much time around the team. He’s unlikely to be on the nine-game trip to St. Louis, Toronto and Miami. Most of that time will be taken up by doctor’s appointments. As much as he’s enjoying watching games with his son, Krew — caught by surprise at how much the soonto-be 3-year-old knew about his teammates — he’s eager to again be the leader he’s been in the clubhouse.

“You want him around all the time because he does have leadership,” manager Rob Thomson said. “But at the same time, he’s got to take care of things. He’s got a lot of appointments, lot of things going on. So you’ve got to give him a little freedom with that.”