Thomson says Bryce Harper’s rehab assignment could begin next week

Bryce Harper could begin a rehab assignment around this time next week, interim manager Rob Thomson told reporters in Cincinnati, including NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Jim Salisbury.

Thomson suggested the Phillies are aiming for August 24 or “somewhere around there.” The Phillies manager also said Harper’s rehab assignment will “likely” take place in Lehigh Valley. The IronPigs are home for a six-game set against the Gwinnett Stripers from August 23 to the 28.

Harper is currently rehabbing back in Philadelphia. He took batting practice on the field for the first time since breaking his left thumb on a hit-by-pitch from San Diego’s Blake Snell on June 25.

When asked about Harper’s timeline for a return, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski told MLB Network that Sept. 1 is “a realistic goal.”

Meanwhile back in Cincinnati, Kyle Schwarber (mild right calf strain) is out of the starting lineup for a fifth straight day. Thomson told reporters that Schwarber could be back in the lineup on Friday when the Phillies open a four-game series against the Mets. He’s been available to pinch hit in every game on a non-emergency basis since Saturday.

Thomson also laid out the pitching plans for the beginning of the next homestand. Aaron Nola will pitch Friday. Zack Wheeler and Bailey Falter will start during the doubleheader on Saturday and Kyle Gibson will pitch on normal rest for the finale on Sunday. Noah Syndergaard’s next outing will be on Monday against Cincinnati.

Both Nola and Wheeler will be facing the Mets in consecutive outings. Nola has done that once already this year. After allowing three runs over six innings in his first outing on April 29, Nola threw seven and allowed only one earned run in a loss on May 5.

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