HOUSTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 05: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after striking out against the Houston Astros during the sixth inning in Game Six of the 2022 World Series at Minute Maid Park on November 05, 2022 in Houston, Texas. ( PHILADELPHIA - Wearing a tan suit and flanked by two Las Vegas showgirls, Bryce Harper raised a microphone to his mouth with his left hand and issued the command, "Drivers, start your engines!"He raised his right index finger and mimicked turning a car key.
With that, Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race got under way at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Harper's hometown.On Wednesday, Harper will report to Clearwater, Florida, to start his spring training, which has been delayed as the Philadelphia Phillies slugger recovers from reconstructive surgery on his right elbow.
How quickly he can rev it up is to be determined.The two-time National League MVP had surgery on Nov. 23, one month after sending the Phillies to the World Series with a dramatic two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning in Game 5 of the NL Championship Series against the San Diego Padres.Following his surgery, the Phillies said Harper was expected to return to the lineup as designated hitter by the All-Star break and could return to playing right field by the end of the regular season.The 30-year-old Harper will have some catching up to do when he arrives in Florida.
His teammates have been adjusting to the new pitch clock, part of Major League Baseball’s efforts to speed up the game."It’s going to be a different game, of course, especially with myself and a lot of guys that have been playing for a long time," Harper said during a news conference at the speedway.