Sitting out with wrist inflammation, Harper took swings off soft tosses in the underground cage on Sunday, in addition to hitting off a tee.

The Philadelphia Phillies are getting a big piece of news just over a month away from the trade deadline as Bryce Harper is nearing his return.

PHILADELPHIA − Bryce Harper passed the first test in his recovery from a wrist injury that has sidelined the Phillies star since June 6. But Harper's reaction when he was asked June 20 if he feels like he's close to returning made it seem like that's all it was − a first step in a long process.