Bryce Harper’s 2023 Season Debut Hindered by Pitch Clock

After undergoing Tommy John surgery, Bryce Harper was eager to return to the field for the Philadelphia Phillies. With his first game of the 2023 season taking place against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Harper not only had to overcome questions about his ability to catch up to major league pitching, but also the new regulations that have been introduced, including the use of a pitch clock.

Challenges

Harper’s return was unceremonious, with a 0-for-4 performance and three strikeouts. However, it was particularly challenging due to the new pitch clock. Harper, who is famous for his deliberate routine between and before pitches, found it difficult to adjust to the quicker pace of the game. He used his designated timeouts during two-strike counts and even before seeing the first pitch, which is a new strategy for him.

Adjustment Period

Harper acknowledged that it will take some time to adjust to the new regulations. He stated that he needs to figure out how to use his timeouts more effectively and understand that the game will be quicker in the future. Despite the challenges, Phillies manager Rob Thomson believes that Harper’s bat speed was sound and that he was “on a lot of pitches,” even if he didn’t get the results he wanted.

Harper’s return is remarkable, as he beat the initial timeline for his recovery by more than two months and returned faster from Tommy John surgery than any baseball player on record, according to research by ESPN Stats & Information. Harper’s rehab involved progressing through various stages of tee work, soft toss, traditional batting practice, swings off a high-velocity pitching machine, and live at-bats.

Harper will continue to work on his throwing progression, but for now, the Phillies need his bat in the lineup. He is expected to play regularly given that the team has four days off in a stretch of three weeks. Eventually, he will transition to first base, but that development is still months away.

In conclusion, Harper’s return to the field after Tommy John surgery was hindered by the new pitch clock regulations introduced in the 2023 season. However, Harper is determined to adjust to the quicker pace of the game and hopes to improve his pitch selection to achieve better results in the future.