The Phillies are embarking on a road trip to Chicago and Atlanta without key players Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and J.T. Realmuto. However, all three players are making progress in their recovery. Harper and Schwarber have been able to hit in the batting cages at Wrigley Field, while Realmuto has been doing receiving drills and hitting on the field for the first time since his knee surgery. They have also managed to go for a jog together, indicating their recovery is moving in the right direction.
Despite the absence of these key players, the Phillies have managed to maintain their division lead with a 10-9 record in games missed by Realmuto. They even won two out of three games without Harper and Schwarber over the weekend. With an eight-game lead in the division, the Phillies are hoping for strong performances from players like Nick Castellanos and Trea Turner to sustain their momentum in the upcoming games.
Manager Rob Thomson expressed optimism about Harper and Schwarber’s recovery, hinting that they may not be far off from returning to the lineup. Their first eligibility for activation will be on July 9 when the Phillies start a six-game homestand. Thomson believes that Realmuto might not be too far behind as a quick healer. He expressed confidence that with continued hard work and dedication from both him and his teammates, they would soon be able to welcome back their star players and continue their successful season so far.