PHILADELPHIA -- July is going to be a big month for Bryce Harper and the Phillies.
It will be big for Harper, who was activated from the injured list before Monday night’s series-opening 4-0 win against the Padres at Citizens Bank Park. Harper, who went 0-for-2 with a walk, had not played since June 5, because of inflammation in his right wrist, but he said he is ready to go. If he stays healthy and returns to form, he should boost a struggling, inconsistent offense.
“It feels better,” Harper said about the wrist. “It feels way better than where I was three weeks ago, four weeks ago or whatever it was. So, I’m happy with where we are. Ultimately, it’s going to come down to how I feel each day. ... It’s kind of been at a standstill the last couple days of feeling good, so hopefully it stays there.”
To make room for Harper on the 26-man roster, utility player Buddy Kennedy was designated for assignment.
The Phillies entered Monday in first place in the NL East and with the fourth-best record in the Majors. They will use the final weeks before the July 31 Trade Deadline to determine exactly what they need to upgrade on the 26-man roster and just how far they will go to do it.
Harper can help the offense, which scored just one run in three games last week in Houston and just three in the final two games this weekend in Atlanta. (They scored 13 on Friday.) Harper slashed .258/.368/.446 with nine home runs, 34 RBIs and an .814 OPS before he landed on the injured list June 7.
Maybe those numbers will jump with improved health.
“It makes the lineup a lot longer,” manager Rob Thomson said about Harper’s return. “It gives us another guy that’s selective and understands the strike zone. He’s going to put some more slug in the lineup, for sure.”
Harper played with inflammation in his right wrist last season. The discomfort lingered into the offseason.
Is it possible the pain could return? Of course. But Harper said he isn’t thinking about it.
“I’m just going to play my game and just go out there and do my thing,” he said. “I can’t really worry about that. If I hurt it, it hurts. You know what I’m saying? But I’m not really worried about that right now. I feel great going into today. I’m happy with where I am.”
The Phillies are not slated to play the next six Thursdays, which will give Harper built-in days to rest.
“That’ll be good for it,” he said.