GM Sam Fuld on when Harper could return to RF: ‘Hopefully a couple months’

Bryce Harper is out of Tuesday’s lineup against the San Diego Padres after receiving a PRP injection in Los Angeles on Sunday. He will not throw a baseball for four weeks, but that does not necessarily mean he will be back playing right field shortly after the four weeks are up.

General manager Sam Fuld hinted at a potential timeline in an interview with Scott Franzke on WIP.

“We’re looking forward to, hopefully in a couple months, him getting back out on the grass,” Fuld said.

Bryce Harper addressed reporters in the clubhouse on Tuesday regarding his elbow. Harper said that he is in no rush to get back on the field and that he plans to “really take advantage of the PRP shot.”

” [Dr. ElAttrache] has no desire to tell me that I can’t hit,” Harper told reporters, including Matt Breen of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Fuld also praised Harper and his ability to quickly adjust to being a full-time DH, a role that is both tougher than it seems and one that not many big leaguers are asked to do nowadays since teams prefer to rotate players in that spot.

“Not easy to make that transition where you’re used to playing on both sides of the ball and I know it bothers him not to be able to impact us defensively, but he’s made that transition really well and who the heck knows what lies in store for us,” Fuld said. “He’s one of those supreme talents that you just never know. He was MVP caliber last year and you think there’s no way it can possibly get better, but certainly the last week or two, it seems like he is getting better.”

Harper said his main goal is to play the field again at some point this year. A possible two month recovery timeline could mean that Harper returns to the outfield after the All-Star Break. Until then, he’ll continue being one of the most impactful designated hitters in the game.

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