Bryce Harper return date: how long does thumb fracture take to heal?

The Philadelphia Phillies have been with out their heavy hitting designated hitter Bryce Harper since June 26th, but Phillies fans can rest assured their super star “will be back before too long.”

Harper on DL with pins in thumb

Harper broke his thumb when San Diego Padres pitcher, Blake Snell, him hit with a fast ball sending Harper to the DL first and then to the operating room.

The Phillies slugger had to have three pins inserted into his shattered thumb, but today gave fans in the City of Brotherly Love something to look forward to.

Eight games back in the NL East, Philadelphia is fighting for a spot in the post season, and Harper told reporters no matter if the Phillies are in the playoff chance or not, he will play before the the end of the season.

While he avoided putting a time table on an expected date of his return, he did say “I just want to go day by day and be back when I can, whenever I feel healthy, whenever that is to help this team win. Granted, if we’re out of it, I’m going to come back and play no matter what, just so I know that I can go out there and play the game. I don’t want that to be my last day playing this year.”

Belt took two months to take back from two pins in thumb

Then San Francisco Giant Brandon Belt suffered a similar injury back in 2014 when he was hit by a pitch and had to get two pins inserted into his thumb. The injury happened on May 9th and he was activated from the DL on July 4th of that same season.

Belt had the pins in his thumb for about a month, before they were taken out and it took about another month for him to rehab his thumb to full strength.

The two time NL MVP has a batting average of .318, and has cranked 15 homers with 48 RBIs this season.

There are three more months remaining in the season, so Harper’s return will be cutting in close. Philly fans will be hoping their team can hang in the playoff race until their six time All-Star can return.