It’s honestly incredible that Bryce Harper is already taking batting practice at Citizens Bank Park.

Last Sunday, Rob Thomson told ESPN that when the Phillies returned home on Thursday, Harper “could” start hitting on the field at Citizens Bank Park. After yesterday’s postponement of the home opener, we finally got to see Bryce Harper this morning, taking batting practice at CBP.

Bryce Harper Rips a HR During Batting Practice

Bryce Harper jacks one into the RF seats. pic.twitter.com/hG4MiVKaKT

— Dan Gelston (@APgelston) April 7, 2023

Now, Harper will move forward from batting practice to live arm at-bats and then “possibly” minor league at-bats by the end of the month.

Bryce Harper was initially thought to be out until late June, but at the start of the 2023 season, the Phillies announced that he would not be heading to the 60-day injured list.

All that sounds great of course, and the thought of the top of the lineup with Turner, Schwarber, Realmuto, Harper, Bohm, and Castellanos is certainly a great one.

👀 pic.twitter.com/Bu3ZMEeck6

— MLB (@MLB) April 7, 2023

I’m still in the “don’t rush Harper back until he’s completely healthy to slide into the DH spot,” but all things considered, he’s looking pretty good. Hopefully, we’ll have him back in the lineup sometime in mid-May and then get things rolling for the official start of the baseball season on June 1st.

Check out our full Phillies home opener preview here >>