Bryce Harper expected to report to Phillies camp in 2 weeks

Bryce Harper’s arrival at spring training camp remains weeks away as the Philadelphia Phillies slugger recovers from elbow surgery.

Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Thursday that Harper is swinging with a bat at his home in Las Vegas and will report on March 8 or March 9.

Harper underwent right elbow surgery in November after leading the Phillies to the NL pennant. The Phillies then said Harper was expected to return to a designated hitter role by the all-star break and could play right field by the end of the season.

“He’s doing really well from a recovery standpoint,” Dombrowski said. “As he progresses, the doctors are happy where he is.”

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said the next step in rehab progression would be for Harper to hit a tee and make a soft pitch into a batting cage.

Harper, 30, suffered a small tear in her ulnar collateral ligament in April. He last played right field in Miami on April 16.

Harper received a platelet-rich plasma injection in May and switched to DH. He then helped the Phillies reach their first World Series since 2009, and they lost to Houston in six games.

He hit .349 with six home runs and 13 RBIs in 17 playoff games.

Harper missed two months last season after breaking his thumb when hit by a pitch in late June. The two-time NL MVP hit .286 with 18 home runs and 65 RBIs in 99 games.