Phillies Injury Updates: Projected returns for Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and JT Realmuto

The Philadelphia Phillies should have more of their normal starting lineup returning as early as Tuesday this week, with Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and JT Realmuto all trending in the right direction with their respective returns from injury.

Obviously, in the absense of Schwarber, Harper, and Realmuto, the Phillies needed to find production elsewhere and for the most part, Nick Castellanos, Alec Bohm and Trea Turner have carried the weight of the offense.

Phillies Numbers without Schwarber and Harper:

• Nick Castellanos: .414/.433/.586, 1 HR
• Trea Turner: .387/.387/.806, 4 HR
• Alec Bohm: .296/.333/.556, 2 HR

MLB Network Ken Rosenthal on Phillies Injuries:

Updated Injury Report via MLB.com:

DH Kyle Schwarber (left groin strain)
Expected return: July 9

Schwarber ran the bases at 100% intensity and took batting practice on the field before the Phillies’ July 6 game against the Braves at Truist Park. All went well and manager Rob Thomson said that, barring a setback, Schwarber is expected to be activated before the team’s July 9 series opener against the Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park. It is the first day Schwarber is eligible to return from the IL.

Schwarber felt something “grab” as he planted to make a throw in the eighth inning of the Phillies’ 7-4 loss to the Marlins on June 27. He initially thought it was just a cramp, though he was removed between innings after being checked on by the trainer. The strain is “very, very mild,” according to Thomson. (Last updated: July 6)

C J.T. Realmuto (right knee surgery)
Expected return: After the All-Star break

Realmuto took batting practice on the field on July 6 at Truist Park. He ran on the field on July 5. He continues to do catching drills. The All-Star Game is July 16, and manager Rob Thomson continues to say that Realmuto’s return is most likely to come after the break, but he would not rule out the possibility he returns beforehand. The Phillies initially said that Realmuto would miss a month.

“Probably post-All-Star, but we’ll see,” Thomson said. (Last updated: July 6)

1B Bryce Harper (left hamstring strain)
Expected return: As early as July 9

Harper ran on the field and took batting practice before the Phillies’ July 6 game at Truist Park. He is not running at 100% intensity, but he is close. Manager Rob Thomson did not rule out the possibility that Harper could rejoin the team as early as July 9 against the Dodgers, but it is not as close to a certainty as Kyle Schwarber.

“Harp’s not too far behind,” Thomson said.

Harper immediately reached for his hamstring as he crossed first base on his game-ending groundout against the Marlins on June 27. He underwent further testing the following morning, which revealed the strain, though Thomson called it mild. Harper added that the news was “the best it could be at this point.” (Last updated: July 6)

Bryce Harper test out hamstring before Phillies game today! pic.twitter.com/tOZGQPiF48

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 6, 2024

Even with last night’s loss to the Atlanta Braves, the Phillies hold the best record in Major League Baseball at 58-31. They are 6-4 over their last 10 games and while dropping a game in the NL East Standings, still hold onto first place with a 9-game lead over Atlanta.

Rubber Match Today at 1:35 PM in Atlanta

Michael Mercado (1-0, 1.50 ERA) will take the mound at Truist Park against Reynaldo Lopez (6-2, 1.83 ERA) looking for a series win for the Phillies over the Braves.