Philadelphia Phillies fans have been forced to adjust to life without injured stars Bryce Harper (hamstring) and Kyle Schwarber (groin) in the lineup over the last week. While the Phillies have gone 5-3 since both were placed on the injured list, exactly when Harper and Schwarber will return is front and center in every fan's mind right now.
The injuries to both players were luckily not severe and as the duo approach the end of the 10-day IL period, recent reports from a number of media outlets have indicated that Schwarber and Harper will likely return when the Phillies face the Los Angeles Dodgers at home next week.
Injured Phillies Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber raring to get back in the lineup
When Schwarber spoke to the media following his early exit on June 27 against the Marlins, Schwarber seemed optimistic that his groin strain was nothing serious and that he wouldn't miss much time recovering from the injury.
A recent social media post from NBC Sports Philadelphia's Corey Seidman provided a positive update on Schwarber's progress when he said that Schwarber is now "doing drills at 90% intensity." It was mentioned on the Apple TV + broadcast on Friday night that Schwarber was scheduled to run the bases yesterday, but due to heavy rain before game time, he will instead test out his baserunning before Saturday's game against the Braves.
If all goes well during Schwarber's return to baseball activities, MLB.com's Todd Zolecki reports that Schwarber could be activated on Tuesday ahead of the Dodgers series. With a day off on Monday, Schwarber is looking likely to return from the IL when first eligible.
Bryce Harper could also return next week
Harper's return to the team is a little less clear at the moment, but all signs point to the recently crowned two-time NL Player of the Month making his way back to the field sometime next week ahead of the All-Star break. That would be the best-case scenario, as Harper was voted by fans to be the starting NL first baseman in the MLB All-Star Game.
Recent reports have Harper slightly behind Schwarber when it comes to returning from the IL when first eligible. According to Seidman's report, Harper is currently performing baseball activities at 70 to 75 percent intensity and could be ready to take the next step in his pregame rehab activities in the coming days.
The Phillies have luckily dodged a bullet, with Harper and Schwarber's injuries being less severe than first thought. A lot of praise should go to manager Rob Thomson for keeping the team in the win column during a stretch of the season that they've has been without Harper, Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto.
Good teams win ball games, and Thomson has pushed all the right buttons as he's been forced to navigate different lineups every day, all while being short three of the team's superstars.