Scott Lauber- Bryce Harper Could Be Back Soon
When the news came out that the Phillies would not place Bryce Harper on the 60-Day Il, the thought was the Phillies were just being hopeful. But then Harper kept hitting his recovery marks earlier than scheduled. He hit underhand tosses, then off the machine. Recently he took live BP vs Ranger Suarez. Then he started throwing from 60 feet. Suddenly we are hearing rumors Harper could be just weeks from returning. Meaning he would return from Tommy John’s before the 6-month mark. But could he actually return that soon? Scott Lauber from the Philly Inquirer joined The Best Show Ever to weigh in. And according to Scott Lauber, he really could be back soon.
Here is what Scott told us about Bryce Harper’s recovery when he joined us earlier today.
“That’s what Im hearing. Honestly, he is a martian. I don’t know what else to say. Yesterday is the 5-month mark from when he had his surgery. This recovery has been warp speed. He is going to go see the surgeon next week in LA when the team is there. If he gets the clearance to go ahead and slide it could really just be a matter of days before he is back.
He is not going to do a minor league assignment. He will get his at bats in the big leagues. And he is going to get them against this robot pitching machine that they have. They think it will simulate major league at bats better than AAA pitching. He will hit the ground running once he is clear to go.
I would have told you a week and a half ago that the notion he could be back in early May would be crazy talk. Even Memorial Day would be pushing it. Now it is looking like it would be Memorial Day at the latest. He would have to be told by the Surgeon to slow it down. And I have to believe, given everything he has been doing, that message would have come across by now. “
Are you excited yet Phillies fans? By all reports, Bryce Harper really could be back soon after this upcoming check-up with his surgeon. At least according to Scott Lauber.
You can listen to the full conversation with Scott Lauber below…
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8 Philadelphia Phillies Who Were Good, That We May Forget
Catcher- Mike Lieberthal
This one was easy, but doesn’t totally fit the narrative. Unlike outfielders and starting pitchers, the Phillies have been successful with catchers. Boone, Dutch Daulton, Ruiz, and now JT Realmuto. All have been a part of a World Series, and all have been vital parts of the team. Unfortunately for Lieberthal, who played 13 seasons with the Phillies and is now on the Wall of Fame, he came in during the 94 season and left before the Phillies won the division in 2007.
Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /Allsport
First Base - Rico Brogna
You are laughing. I know you are. But in the late 90s when the Phillies were bottom feeders, Brogna was a dim bright spot. He hit at least 20 home runs in each of his 3 full seasons with the Phillies and drove in over 100 runs twice. After leaving the Phillies he hit 4 home runs and only had 29 RBI. Something about the Vet helped Brogna’s career.
Mandatory Credit: Matthew Stockman /Allsport
3B- Placido Polanco (Screw You Scott Rolen)
Scott Rolen would be the obvious answer here, but people remember Rolen. Heck, the dude is being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. So the guy that fits this conversation is Polanco. A guy who had two stints with the Phillies. He ushered in Chase Utley to second base in the early 2000s, and then came back to play third base. When I ask you to name third baseman in Phillies franchise history, your first, second, third, or fourth thought would be Polanco. In total, his 7 seasons with the Phillies were productive but didn’t lead to anything big.
(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
SS- Freddy Galvis
If you are my age, you’ve had it good at shortstop. Jimmy Rollins for over a decade and now Trea Turner. You can’t go wrong there. But there was a shortstop in between who wasn’t bad (except when he came back) and that is Freddy Galvis. A guy who played almost every game had enough pop to hit 20 home runs, and was an excellent fielder. Do I miss Galvis? Absolutely not. Was he a decent ball player during the bad days of the Phillies post 07-11? Yes.
(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Outfield- Kenny Lofton
Kenny Lofton played one season here. One. You forget that he played with the Phillies. When you look at what he did, you are amazed that you forget what he did. In 2005 Lofton hit 335, THREE THIRTY-FIVE. He didn’t hit bombs, he didn’t drive in runs, but he was a staple at the top of the order for a young team.
(Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
Outfield- Aaron Rowand
I will start with Rowand. You will always remember Aaron Rowand, but only for the catch where he broke his nose. In 2007, the guy did way more than just that. He hit .309 and smashed 27 home runs. If it wasn’t for Shane Victorino, Rowand is your centerfielder when they win the World Series in 2008. After leaving Philly and going to the Giants, he was a mediocre player. But that 2007 season got him paid, and the Phillies finally won the division.
(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Outfield- Bobby Abreu
Last but not least, and definitely not least, even though he gets 0 respect from Phillies fans, Bobby Abreu. I have him in this just so he gets a little love. A bubble Hall of Famer, a guy you could pencil in for 20-30 home runs and 80-100 RBI every single year. He was a great baseball player, 5 tool, and just played with bad Phillies teams. In 9 seasons with the Phillies, he finished hitting over 300. Someone that gets no respect but deserves it.
(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
