PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 03: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies runs to second after hitting a double in the fifth inning of Game 5 of the 2022 World Series between the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park o CLEARWATER, Fla. - Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper has joined his teammates at spring training and hasn't ruled out being back by the All-Star break following Tommy John surgery."Things can change either way," the two-time National League MVP Harper said Thursday. "I could be after, I could be before.
But as right now that’s the date we kind of solidified. We’re not going to rush. We’re going to be smart about it."Dressed in red Phillies shorts with pinstripes and a white workout shirt, Harper sat on top of a picnic table outside the clubhouse."Just excited to be back out here, some sunshine and some warm weather," Harper said. "Just really excited to be around the team again."Harper was hurt in April and last played right field on April 16 in Miami.
He had surgery in November."Once I was done with surgery I took the time off that I needed to let it heal," Harper said. "It’s still healing right now, still evolving.
Just trying to see how I feel each day and go from there."Entering the fifth season of a $330 million, 13-year contract, Harper is currently taking swings with a bat but not facing pitches."I’ve never dealt with anything like an elbow, so definitely it’s different waters for me," Harper said.