Cardinals, Phillies, Yankees can benefit from injured players returning

Philadelphia Phillies: Bryce Harper

Fresh off a run to the World Series last season against the Houston Astros, it has not been the start to the season that the Philadelphia Phillies were hoping for. The Atlanta Braves have already established themselves as the class of the NL East but, as the Phillies proved last season, just getting into October baseball is all you need to do to make a run.

Bryce Harper missed the first month and a half recovering from Tommy John surgery on his elbow on November 23. It was originally thought that he could return around the All-Star break in July, but he made his return last weekend against the Boston Red Sox and his impact has been felt immediately.

He’s 9-for-28 since his return and hitting over .300 with a home run and eight runs scored. Philadelphia has a lineup that should have no problem scoring runs with Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, and Nick Castellanos in it, and adding Harper adds more thump to the lineup. The Phillies have the fourth-best average in the majors and adding an All-Star like Harper should only move them up the ranks.

It’s never too early to look at the standings, both in the division and the Wild Card. Philadelphia is eight games behind the Braves, but just two games behind for the final Wild Card spot. As they proved last season, all you need to do is to get into the postseason field to have a chance and Harper returning will help those chances of climbing upwards over the summer.