Injury Update: Bryce Harper tests wrist with tee at-bats and throwing, still no timeline for return

There’s some progress, but not much clarity. Bryce Harper was back on the field Friday afternoon testing his inflamed right wrist for the first time since going on the injured list June 7.

Bryce Harper took 20 dry swings, followed by 20 more off a tee, and played catch — all while wearing a wrist brace. It’s a step forward, but a small one.

Bryce Harper on wrist injury:

Bryce Harper spoke with us about his wrist before tonight’s game.

He said he’s talked with multiple doctors and that there is no structural issue with his wrist.

“We haven’t really got too many answers about it.” pic.twitter.com/xwLk5yBUn6

— Devan Kaney (@Devan_Kaney) June 20, 2025

“Felt good today,” Harper said. “Better than I thought it was going to, so I’m happy about that.”

That’s the best the Phillies can ask for right now, as there’s still no timeline for his return and no real answers about why the inflammation came back in the first place.

Saturday will be another test day. If the wrist responds well, Bryce Harper will do it all again. If not, it’s back to rest and treatment.

Same Story as the Spring

This is essentially what Bryce Harper dealt with the first couple months of the season. The pain started creeping back in around mid-April, and while he tried to play through it, things took a turn for the worse after he was hit on the elbow on May 27. He gutted it out in Toronto from June 3 to 5, then shut it down entirely after that.

“I’ve played through pain in my career — I think everybody has,” Harper said. “But it got to the point where I just couldn’t do it.”

Still No Real Diagnosis

According to Harper, there’s no structural damage. No surgery required. Just a whole lot of inflammation in an area that won’t seem to stay calm. He’s been pain-free before — during the offseason — but once the daily grind of the season kicks in, the wrist flares up again.

Doctors aren’t offering a clear solution, and Harper isn’t pretending to have one.

“I was pain-free for probably four and a half months, and then it came back just randomly,” he said. “I’m not happy that it came back, obviously.”

What’s Next?

That’s the big question. There’s no set rehab plan. No exact number of swings to limit. No ideal throwing program. Right now it’s about seeing how the wrist feels each day and adjusting accordingly.

“I don’t want to play in pain at all,” Harper said. “I hope the pain gets out of there. But we’ll see.”

The Phillies will continue to be cautious, especially considering Harper played through this same issue last year. With no definitive return date in sight, all anyone can do — Harper included — is wait and hope.

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