PHILS HARPER: PINS OUT, DRY SWINGS, HITTING OFF A TEE, PLAYING CATCH IN

By Sheila Maxwell

Bryce Harper had the pins removed from his left thumb on Aug. 1.

He is taking dry swings and hitting off a tee.

He also is playing catch from 55 to 60 feet, which seems to be encouraging news as he hopes to play right field again this season. Overall reports have been good.

Harper was injured June 25 when he was hit by a pitch. Nobody has offered a timeline for Harper’s potential return, but the fact that the Phillies never placed him on the 60-day injured list indicates they believe there is a chance he could return before the end of August.