Keep track of the Phillies’ recent transactions and injury updates throughout the season.

Aug. 14: Bryce Harper to take BP on Monday
Harper will take batting practice on the field on Monday in Philadelphia for the first time since fracturing his left thumb, interim manager Rob Thomson said before Sunday’s series finale against the Mets. It will be a significant step toward returning to game action.

“Getting him on the field is huge,” Thomson said.

After taking BP, Thomson said, Harper will progress to high-velocity work using the Phillies’ pitching machines to simulate in-game pitching. Then he’ll likely start playing in Minor League games on a rehab assignment.

LF Kyle Schwarber (mild right calf strain)
Expected return: TBD
Schwarber was still limited to pinch-hitting duties as of Sunday’s series finale against the Mets. Interim manager Rob Thomson said he’s not sure yet when Schwarber will be able to return to starting DH or outfield duties, but he does not envision Schwarber needing to go on the injured list. Schwarber left Thursday’s game against the Marlins with a right calf injury he’s been managing for a couple of weeks, and did not start any of the three games against the Mets — although he did return as a pinch-hitter on Saturday.

After doing some light running in the outfield during warmups and participating in batting practice, Schwarber batted for Matt Vierling and popped out in the eighth inning of Saturday’s 1-0 loss. Schwarber did not play the field in the bottom half of the frame, as backup catcher Garrett Stubbs instead manned left field. (Last updated: Aug. 14)

DH/RF Bryce Harper (left thumb fracture)
Expected return: Late August/early September
Harper is set to take on-field batting practice on Aug. 15 at Citizens Bank Park for the first time since his injury, per interim manager Rob Thomson. After that, he will progress to high-velocity simulated game pitching in the batting cage. The next step will be getting Harper back into game action on a Minor League rehab assignment.

Harper’s left thumb was fractured on June 25 when he was hit by a pitch. He had the pins removed from his thumb on Aug. 1. He spent the first few days hitting off a practice tee and was also lightly throwing the baseball from 45 feet, but the club has backed off Harper’s throwing program due to stiffness in the injured elbow that had limited him to DH duties since April 17. That development shouldn’t impact Harper’s timeline for returning in a DH role, which he has said is his No. 1 priority, and Thomson has acknowledged it’s possible that Harper will not play the field again this season, though that is not definitive at this point. (Last updated: Aug. 14)

RHP Zach Eflin (patellofemoral pain)
Expected return:
TBD
Eflin experienced some pain in his right knee in his last up-and-down session, per interim manager Rob Thomson, though the right-hander did recover fine afterwards. For now, Eflin will not throw off a mound while he stays back in Philadelphia and continues his progression. He was transferred to the 60-day IL on Aug. 2, which means he cannot be activated until Aug. 25 at the earliest. It will probably be longer than that — and that’s if he returns this season at all.

Eflin had an MRI exam on his right knee on July 18, which the Phillies said revealed no structural damage. Instead, he has patellofemoral pain, which is sometimes called runner’s knee. (Last updated: Aug. 13)

RHP Sam Coonrod (strained right shoulder)
Expected return: August
Coonrod pitched on back-to-back days for the second time during his Minor League rehab assignment as he works to return from the injury that has kept him out all season. Interim manager Rob Thomson said Coonrod was sitting 96-98 mph with his fastball during his latest outing, a scoreless inning with just one hit allowed on Aug. 11. (Last updated: Aug. 12)

RHP James McArthur (right elbow stress reaction)
Expected return: TBD
McArthur is the Phillies’ No. 19 prospect. He struggled this season, posting a 5.05 ERA in 13 starts with Double-A Reading. By recalling him and placing him on the 60-day IL, the Phillies cleared a space for Darick Hall’s promotion. (Last updated: June 29)

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