PHILADELPHIA — Bryce Harper knows himself. And he knows he isn’t alone in knowing himself. “Obviously, you know the type of player I am and how I go about it,” Harper told a clubhouse media crowd prior to a series opener against the Dodgers Tuesday.
“But for the long haul, I just need to play it smart this week.” Play it smart? Perhaps it was Harper’s way, coming off a 10-day Injured List stay, of saying he was recovered enough to play on this day, but only just good enough. Top of the lineup power pals Harper and Kyle Schwarber both returned Tuesday from the 10-day IL.
They were eligible to return Monday but with the Phillies having an offday, they got a bonus. As for Harper, he openly admitted he needed it. “I thought the offday yesterday did me good,” he said.
“I felt like I was ready to go, but I think I definitely needed the full time. All that (making adjustments) play into it, but it’s also just trying to see the ball and hit the ball and not think too much about (the injury).” But what he was doing was just that – thinking about it.
For Harper did indicate that “playing smart” was something he had to do now. At least for a little while. “Obviously, I’m going to play smart this week,” he said.
“Nothing crazy, I’d imagine, just try to do the best I can to get into the (All-Star) break. But I feel good.” Speaking of the break, at least seven Phillies are invited to make the All-Star trek to Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.
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