Bryce Harper took the next step in his rehab Thursday, throwing out to 60 feet down the first-base line at Citizens Bank Park.
It was Harper's first time doing so since undergoing Tommy John surgery the day before Thanksgiving.
"It was the first day of his throwing program, really," manager Rob Thomson said a few hours before the Phillies opened a series against the Rockies.
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"He's had three good sessions now against live pitching, two against Ranger (Suarez) and then against (minor-leaguer) Victor Vargas today. Still getting his timing down but he looks really good working at first base."
Harper will be reevaluated by surgeon Neil ElAttrache in Los Angeles "sometime around May 1," according to Thomson. That date coincides with the Phillies' three-game series at Dodger Stadium.
"Once we get clearance from the doctor, we'll see when he starts DHing, but it shouldn't be too far after that," Thomson said.
Harper will return as the Phillies' designated hitter until he is cleared to throw. When that happens, he could see time at first base. The Phillies are without Rhys Hoskins for the regular season (torn ACL) and Darick Hall until around mid-June (thumb). Harper has been working out at first base every day for a couple of weeks now.
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The Phillies do not plan to send him on a rehab assignment.
"No, it doesn't look like he's going to," Thomson said. "We've got all this stuff we're doing here, we're bringing in pitchers to simulate at-bats, we've got this new machine downstairs that you can put any pitcher on the planet on video and replicate that. We think that as far as DHing is concerned, we're covering all the bases."
The return might be only a few weeks away.
Sosa, Wheeler doing better
Edmundo Sosa hasn't played since April 15 because of back soreness but he showed up to the ballpark feeling better Thursday, according to Thomson, and was available off the bench.
Zack Wheeler felt back tightness during a 36-pitch third inning in Chicago earlier this week but received treatment during the game and went five innings. He's doing fine, he said Thursday, and will make his next start on turn Sunday.