It’s taken a while, but Bryce Harper is back in the Philadelphia Phillies’ lineup. After being placed on the injured list on June 6, he came back against the San Diego Padres on June 30. He was activated after missing 22 games with the inflammation in his right wrist. It’s a huge boost that he’s coming back, but it doesn’t eliminate the concern. It’s a recurring bad dream for the superstar slugger. In the balance hangs the team’s championship hopes.

The concern surrounding the two-time MVP’s wrist is significant, as highlighted by MLB Network’s Jon Morosi. The core issue is Harper’s right wrist, his bottom hand as a left-handed hitter. He dealt with a similar problem just one year ago. “This is something where Bryce was asked over the weekend… how do you know it’s not going to come back?” Morosi reported. Harper’s candid answer left many uncertain.

Morosi emphasized that everyone will be watching the superstar slugger closely. The big news is his return, which is great for the Phils. But the real question is about his performance moving forward. “Can he really look like himself at the plate?” Morosi pondered. “Can he let that swing rip the way that we’ve seen him… for more than a decade now?” He noted the “delicate balance” of managing a power hitter’s wrist, a joint crucial to generating elite force.

This situation evokes the cautionary tale of Mark Teixeira. The former Yankees slugger’s career was derailed by a similar bottom-hand wrist injury. It serves as a chilling reminder of how devastating these ailments can be for power hitters. Harper’s health remains the most critical variable for the team. Yet. despite the external worries, the franchise cornerstone himself expressed relief.

Harper feels that his recovery progressed much faster than anticipated. “If you had told me three weeks ago [I’d be] where I am now, I would have said you’re kind of crazy,” Harper admitted. “So I’m very happy with where I am. I’m way farther ahead than I felt like I would be.” This optimism provides a hopeful counterpoint to the lingering concerns about the chronic injury.

To activate their star first baseman, the Phillies designated utility man Buddy Kennedy for assignment. Rookie Otto Kemp, who filled in for Harper, remains on the roster. The team’s performance during his absence offered a glimpse into their resilience. It also highlighted their dependence on their superstar.

Treading water and eyeing reinforcements amid Bryce Harper’s injury

The Phillies survived well enough during Harper’s 22-game absence. The team had a respectable 12-10 record in that span. It was good enough to transform a 1.5-game deficit in the NL East to a 1.5-game lead over the Mets. They have navigated the storm without their best player successfully. The club showed it could win, but the underlying offensive numbers revealed a clear vulnerability.

Rookie Otto Kemp played first base during the superstar’s absence. Kemp performed serviceably, hitting. 246 with one home run. But his 86 OPS+ was far short of the league average of 100. The offensive decline after Harper, who had a 123 OPS+ before his injury, was immense. This 37-point gap is a measure of the enormous production hole. It underlines a need for a healthy Harper or a significant reinforcement.

The chronic nature of Bryce Harper’s wrist issue makes the upcoming trade deadline crucial. The Phillies must consider adding a quality outfielder as insurance if Harper suffers a relapse or needs more time off. The market presents a fascinating series of high-stakes gambles.

The high-ceiling targets are appealing but come with massive red flags. Minnesota’s Byron Buxton is having an MVP-level season, batting .281 with 19 homers and a .913 OPS. But he has a long injury history and a significant contract with 3.5 years remaining. Similarly, White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr., who also offers elite five-tool skills with team control but is currently injured and struggling terribly in 2025 with a .583 OPS. Both would be incredibly expensive to acquire in terms of prospects, and both represent a major risk.

The rest of the field provides more stability but also clearly comes with its flaws. The Rangers’ Adolis Garcia is a proven postseason hero but is having a down year with a .646 OPS. Angels’ Taylor Ward has legit right-handed power (19 homers) but not much of an on-base percentage and is one-dimensional. The Red Sox’s Jarren Duran would provide speed and years of control, but is also a left-handed bat and wouldn’t balance the lineup. Finally, Baltimore’s Cedric Mullins is a versatile switch-hitting rental, but his inconsistency is a major concern.

The Phillies are in a strong position, but their championship dreams are fragile, hinging directly on the health of Bryce Harper’s wrist. Will he stay on the field, and will the front office acquire a safety net? The answer will define Philadelphia’s entire 2025 season.