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Good vibes continue to surround Bryce Harper’s recovery

Bryce Harper is currently on the injured list. (Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)

There isn’t an exact update on Bryce Harper to give. But there were still some important takeaways about the Philadelphia Phillies star Tuesday afternoon.

Harper once again took batting practice on the field at Citizens Bank Park Tuesday afternoon:

While Harper didn’t speak to the media Tuesday afternoon, manager Rob Thomson was asked quite a bit about the two-time National League MVP in his pregame chat with reporters.

“[He] took ground balls today … modified sliding … he’s doing high velo machine work in the cage and he came out and hit off the breaking ball machine,” Thomson said of Harper. “He’s doing a lot of work.”

Harper hasn’t been cleared to slide yet, which remains the biggest hurdle as he recovers from the Tommy John surgery he underwent on his right elbow on Nov. 23.

Thomson seemed to believe that Harper will need to meet with Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who performed the surgery, to get said clearance. Thomson wasn’t sure when the appointment will take place, or at least he wasn’t willing to reveal so publicly.

ElAttrache is the team doctor for both the Los Angeles Rams and Dodgers. The Phillies are slated to play at Dodger Stadium from May 1-3, so perhaps that could be a natural time for the appointment. But if the appointment needs to be sooner or later, one would think Harper could fly to Los Angeles separately.

Perhaps the most interesting revelation from Thomson Tuesday came when he was asked by Phillies Nation if Harper is ready to hit, at least in a minor league rehab appearance, right now.

“I would say he is,” Thomson said. “He’s done a lot of hitting.”