Phils star Bryce Harper making progress with wrist injury, says surgery not necessary

After taking several swings and fielding some practice grounders Friday afternoon, Phillies superstar Bryce Harper said he's "happy" with his progress from a wrist injury that landed him on the Injured List but uncertain about his return to the lineup.

Speaking with reporters in the dugout before Friday's game between the Phillies and New York Mets, Harper said he "felt better than he thought" he would feel when taking his swings. He wore a brace on his right hand while he took 20 dry swings, followed by 20 swings off a tee.

"It felt good – like I said – as I was swinging," Harper said in this video posted by Tim Kelly from On Pattison. "So I’m happy with where I am.”

Harper also said he would see how his wrist responds and expects to take more swings Saturday as he looks to progress to the point where he can "ramp up." 

In a video posted by WIP's Devan Kaney, Harper said he's consulted with multiple doctors on the source of his inflammation, which he's battled in the past, but hasn't "really got too many answers." More importantly, Harper also said "there's no structural issues" and that he won't need surgery.

Harper added that he was pain-free for "about four and a half months" before the pain "randomly" returned this season.