The Phillies reinstated Bryce Harper from the 10-day injured list prior to tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. To make room for Harper on the 26-man roster, outfielder Jake Cave was optioned to triple-A Lehigh Valley following last night’s game. Phillies President of Baseball Operations David Dombrowski made the announcement.
Harper, who underwent UCL reconstruction/repair with ulnar nerve transposition on his right elbow on Nov. 23, 2022, in Los Angeles, Calif., performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, returns to the Phillies 160 days after the procedure.
Last season, Harper was selected as a National League All-Star for the seventh time in his career. A two-time National League Most Valuable Player (2015; 2021), Harper was named the 2022 National League Championship Series MVP after slashing .400/.400/.850 with five extra-base hits (2 HR, 3 2B) and five RBI in five games. He hit the game-winning home run in Game 5 of the NLCS on Oct. 23, 2022, against the San Diego Padres, and overall, had four game-winning home runs, which was the most ever by any player during a single postseason.
His 1.160 OPS in the 2022 playoffs ranks fifth in major league history for a single postseason (min. 70 PA), behind only Barry Bonds in 2002 (1.559), Randy Arozarena in 2020 (1.273), David Freese in 2011 (1.258) and Corey Seager in 2020 (1.171).
Cave made the Phillies Opening Day roster, his fourth time doing so in his career (2019-21 with MIN). He had appeared in 20 games for the Phillies and was slashing .222/.286/.333 in 70 plate appearances. He went 3-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI on April 29 at the Houston Astros.
