A week ago, Bryce Harper put the best spin possible on the news that it was too early to remove the pins from his broken left thumb. This week, the news was much better as Harper had the four pins removed which opens the way for him to begin range of motion exercises. Those exercises would lead to being able to grip a bat and then swing a bat.

The bottom line is that the Phillies are hopeful they could have Harper back in the lineup by the end of the month. When he returns, Harper will still be serving as the DH because of the right ulnar collateral ligament tear in his elbow, which he will deal with after the season. For now, the focus is getting his bat back into the lineup.

Harper broke the thumb when he was hit by a pitch by Blake Snell on June 25 and four days later the pins were inserted during surgery to repair the injury.

The Phillies are hopeful of getting second baseman Jean Segura back from the IL this week. He is currently on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Lehigh Valley as he recovers from a broken right index finger.