Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper will serve as the designated hitter and bat cleanup for the Phils on Tuesday against the Milwaukee Brewers and right-hander Julio Teheran. The Phillies were saying there was a chance that Harper would play defense at first base last weekend against the San Diego Padres for the first time all year, but that didn't happen, and he'll remain the DH to begin a series against Milwaukee on Tuesday. The 30-year-old former MVP is hitting a strong .300 (67-for-223) on the year, but he has only four home runs and 26 RBI in 60 games. He did, however, go deep on Saturday for the first time in 38 games, so hopefully that will get his power game going finally in 2023.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder/designated hitter Bryce Harper is out of the lineup for Game 1 of a doubleheader on Saturday against the San Diego Padres and left-hander Blake Snell. Kyle Schwarber will take over as the DH and will hit leadoff, with Brandon Marsh in left field and batting eighth. Rookie Johan Rojas will start in center and bat ninth. The 30-year-old Harper is reportedly getting close to playing first base, and it could happen as soon as Game 2 on Saturday. He went 1-for-4 with a strikeout in Friday's loss to the Padres and is hitting .290 (62-for-214) on the year, but fantasy managers have been frustrated with his lack of power (only three homers and 23 RBI).

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder/designated hitter Bryce Harper (elbow) is back in the designated hitter spot and is batting cleanup on Friday against the San Diego Padres and right-hander Yu Darvish to start the second half of the season. Harper missed the first-half finale last Sunday after getting hit by a pitch on his surgically repaired right elbow, but X-rays showed up negative and he's fine. The 30-year-old former MVP could also play defense at first base for the first time during this weekend's four-game series against the Padres. Fantasy managers are hoping Harper will show more power in the second half after he hit just three long balls in 210 at-bats in the first half, although they can't complain about his .290 average or .386 on-base percentage.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder/designated hitter Bryce Harper (elbow) could be available to pinch hit on Sunday against the Miami Marlins. Harper was hit with a pitch in his surgically-repaired right elbow during Saturday's contest. The X-rays were negative so apparently he's just dealing with soreness at the moment. In an ideal world, the Phillies would just rest him on Sunday and give him a full five days during the All-Star break. Either way, it's nice to hear he's dealing with soreness and not something more serious.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder/designated hitter Bryce Harper (elbow) is not starting on Sunday against the Miami Marlins after having to leave Saturday's game early after he was hit by a pitch on his surgically repaired right elbow. Thankfully, X-rays came back negative on the 30-year-old, and with the All-Star break coming up next week, Harper may only have to miss one game with the elbow injury. Fantasy managers were expecting much more from the former MVP in the first half of the season, although he did have a strong .290 batting average (61-for-210). However, the lack of power (three home runs and 23 RBI) is concerning, and it could be related to his right-elbow surgery after last season. Kyle Schwarber is serving as the DH and hitting leadoff on Sunday against Marlins left-hander Jesus Luzardo.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper (elbow) underwent x-rays on his injured elbow after Saturday's contest against the Marlins, which returned negative. The 30-year-old was pulled from Saturday's game after being hit by a pitch. Harper got hit in the same elbow that he underwent Tommy John surgery during the offseason. According to Phillies manager Rob Thomson, Harper is sore, and it's unclear if he will play in the Sunday series finale versus the Marlins. He is considered day-to-day. With the All-Star break starting Monday, the Phillies will likely rest their star player. Fantasy managers will have to check back on Sunday to see if Harper is starting before inserting him into their lineups.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper (elbow) was forced to exit early during Saturday's game against the Miami Marlins. The superstar slugger was hit by a pitch in his surgically repaired right elbow during the third inning of Saturday's game. Harper appeared to be in considerable pain, but was able to stay in the game to run the bases. The expectation is the team will have Harper undergo further testing to determine the severity of the issue. It wouldn't be shocking to see Harper sit out until after the All-Star break. Fantasy managers will have to check back later for another update on his status.

Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson isn't putting a timeline on it, but it's possible that outfielder/designated hitter Bryce Harper (elbow) plays first base before the All-Star break. Harper returned earlier than expected to designated-hitter duties for the Phillies in 2023 after having Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. The 30-year-old has been working at first base before games of late and sounds ready to make his debut there soon. He's never started at first base at any level of his career, although it's possible that he could gain eligibility there for the second half of the season. The two-time MVP remains a must-start in fantasy lineups, regardless of position, and he's currently batting .278 (50-for-180) with three home runs, 10 doubles, 20 RBI, five steals and 28 runs scored in 48 games played.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper is getting the day off on Sunday against the Oakland Athletics. This is the 30-year-old's first day off in June so it gives him some much-needed rest. Harper is slashing .296/.391/.421 with three home runs, 16 RBI, and five stolen bases over 152 at-bats so far this season. Kyle Schwarber is serving as designated hitter while Cristian Pache is taking over in left field on Sunday against the A's.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder/designated hitter Bryce Harper is taking the day off on Tuesday against the division-rival New York Mets. Fantasy managers shouldn't be worried, as this appears to just be a normal day of rest for the former MVP. Since returning from elbow reconstruction as the team's primary designated hitter, Harper has been excellent, hitting .306 (26-for-85) with six doubles, three home runs, eight RBI, two stolen bases and 18 runs scored in his first 23 games of 2023. The 30-year-old All-Star will continue to be a must-start in all fantasy lineups when he returns to action on Wednesday. In his absence, Kyle Schwarber will serve as the DH and bat cleanup, while Dalton Guthrie starts in left field and hits in the nine-hole against Mets right-hander Kodai Senga.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper went 3-for-4 with a homer and two runs scored in an 8-5 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Thursday. Harper launched a solo shot to tie the game at 4-4 in the fourth inning. The blast traveled 445 feet and had an exit velocity of 107.8 MPH. Harper has been red hot since returning from the injured list, hitting .347 with three homers, 18 runs, seven RBI, and two steals across 75 at-bats.

Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter/outfielder Bryce Harper (elbow) isn't close to receiving playing time at first base, per manager Rob Thomson on Friday. The 30-year-old Harper is exclusively operating at DH as he continues to work his way back from Tommy John surgery. Philadelphia has a bit of a hole at first base, however, after Rhys Hoskins (knee) tore his ACL during spring training. Alec Bohm has played 35 games at the cold corner in the meantime, but Harper's fantasy managers would gladly accept the bonus of first base eligibility whenever the superstar starts getting those reps. The two-time MVP is slashing .309/.377/.491 with two home runs and five RBI over his initial 55 at-bats of the season.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder/designated hitter Bryce Harper is making his season debut on Tuesday against Julio Urias and the Los Angeles Dodgers, batting third and acting as the designated hitter. The two-time MVP has been out of action all year after undergoing Tommy John surgery during the offseason. In 2022, Harper slashed .286/.364/.514 with 18 homers, 63 runs, 65 RBI, and 11 steals over 99 games. Fantasy managers should be excited to have the five-category contributor back, especially after his original timeline didn't have him returning until near the All-Star break. Harper's a must-start in all formats for the rest of 2023.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper (elbow) had a follow-up appointment on Monday with his doctor. It appears that went well as Harper has been officially cleared to return to action. The 30-year-old slugger has been cleared to make his season debut against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday. He'll rejoin the team as the designated hitter after having Tommy John surgery only five months ago. His original timetable was around the All-Star break, but Harper will beat that timetable by a long shot. Fantasy managers who have Harper on their IR can take him off and get him back in their lineups for Tuesday.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper (elbow) is set to see his doctor for a follow-up appointment on Monday morning. If everything goes well, Harper could be cleared to rejoin the Phillies lineup on Tuesday. He has been making great progress lately and appears ready to get back on the field. It's surprising he's ready to return just 160 days after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Fantasy managers should stay tuned for an update after his appointment on Monday. If not Tuesday, it certainly sounds like Harper is going to be ready sooner than expected.

There's a chance that Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper (elbow) could return in the middle of May if his follow-up exam with Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles at the start of May goes well. "If we get clearance from the doctor, then we'll see when he can start DHing," manager Rob Thomson said. "But it shouldn't be too far after that." When Harper initially had Tommy John surgery last Nov. 23, the team expected him to return as the designated hitter by the All-Star break from July 10-13. Harper took batting practice for the first time on April 5, just 4 1/2 months after his surgery, and he also threw from 60 feet on Thursday. Fantasy managers have to be excited by this news, but there's still a chance Harper isn't cleared to do everything when he has his next follow-up exam in early May. When he's back, the former MVP will operate exclusively as the Phillies full-time DH.

Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Ranger Suarez (forearm) will face outfielders Bryce Harper (elbow) and Cristian Pache in a simulated game on Tuesday. Suarez will throw 20 to 25 pitches in the session, and if it goes well, he'll likely throw another simulated game. This will be the first time that Harper faces a southpaw after recovering from Tommy John surgery. The 30-year-old former MVP has a ways to go still, and fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to make his 2023 debut until right around the All-Star break. Suarez, 27, will likely go on a minor-league rehab assignment after his next simulated game, and he's on track to make his 2023 debut in early May, barring a setback. He's recovering from left forearm inflammation that he encountered in spring training.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper (elbow) may possibly skip a minor league rehab assignment before returning to the majors. Harper is taking reps at first base as he looks forward to his return to the field and will face Ranger Suarez in a simulated game on Tuesday. There's no definitive statement, but it seems Harper's timeline could be moving up from early June.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper (elbow) is several months into his recovery from Tommy John surgery. The All-Star has recently begun taking reps at first base in hopes to return to playing the field sooner. This will not speed Harper's return to the lineup as he will be cleared to hit sooner than doctors will clear him to throw, but it could allow fantasy gamers to enjoy the added first-base eligibility for Harper. Harper is hoping to be back in the lineup by early June at the latest.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper (elbow) is slated to take batting practice on Thursday, two days after he took batting practice on the field ahead of his team's game on Tuesday. The star outfielder had Tommy John surgery on November 23 after playing through an elbow injury for much of the 2022 season. The Phillies have said all along that they are eyeing a June return for Harper and reiterated that his timeline remains unchanged despite the recent batting practice sessions.