Harper went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer and a walk in Thursday's 5-0 win over Cincinnati.

EDGE Analysis

After missing Philadelphia's last three games while on the paternity list, Harper returned with a bang Thursday, launching a two-run homer off Nick Martinez to extend the Phillies lead to 4-0 in the third inning. After a slow start to the year, Harper's starting to turn it around at the plate -- he's hit safely in his last seven games, going 10-for-24 with two home runs and nine RBI in that span. He's boosted his slash line to .256/.347/.488 with five homers and 16 RBI across 22 games this season.

The Phillies reinstated Harper (personal) from the paternity leave list Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Harper missed the first three games of the series in Cincinnati after welcoming his third child into the world, but he's back for the series finale in Cincinnati. The two-time MVP will start at first base and bat third against the Reds.

The Phillies placed Harper (personal) on the paternity list ahead of Monday's game against the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

Per MLB rules, players placed on the paternity list have to miss between one and three games, so expect Harper to take the maximum amount of time to welcome in the newest addition to his family. Harper could link back up with the Phillies in Cincinnati on Thursday for the club's series finale with the Reds. Infielder Kody Clemens was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley in a corresponding move.

Harper went 2-for-4 with a double, a two-run homer and an additional RBI in Tuesday's 5-0 victory over Colorado.

EDGE Analysis

Harper extended the Phillies lead to 3-0 with an opposite-field double off Austin Gomber in the sixth inning before capping the scoring with a two-run homer off Tyler Kinley in the eighth. Harper's gone 3-for-7 with four RBI in his last two contests after going just 2-for-27 in his previous seven games. Overall, he's slashing .215/.301/.462 with four home runs, 11 RBI and 14 runs scored through his first 17 games this season.

Harper went 3-for-5 with two doubles and one RBI in Friday's win over the Nationals.

EDGE Analysis

After opening the season with a tough 0-for-11 streak, Harper has come alive this week. He tallied another three hits Friday including two doubles off the left-handed Nationals starter Patrick Corbin. Harper later added a run-scoring single in the seventh inning to notch his seventh RBI on the season.

Harper went 3-for-4 with three home runs and six RBI in Tuesday's 9-4 win over the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

Harper kicked off a monstrous evening with a solo blast his first time up and another to lead off the fourth. He then put the game out of reach with a grand slam in the seventh inning. Harper entered the day 0-for-11 at the plate through his first three games, and with Tuesday's historic performance, he erased any memory of his brief season-opening slump. It was the second three-homer game of his career and it led to a career-high six RBI for the 31-year-old.

Harper is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against Atlanta, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran slugger remained in the game Saturday after taking a tumble over the camera well railing attempting to field a foul ball, but he won't be in the lineup for Sunday's series finale. Manager Rob Thomson said it's a scheduled off day, per Matt Gelb of The Athletic, so Harper is apparently fine and should be back in the lineup Monday. He didn't see much action down the stretch in spring training due to a back issue and is off to a slow start, going 0-for-6 with two walks, a run and a stolen base in the first two games of the season. Alec Bohm will shift to first base while Edmundo Sosa receives a start at the hot corner.

Harper (back) is starting at first base in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

EDGE Analysis

Harper was able to take seven at-bats on a back field Friday, one of which resulted in him legging out an infield single. The 31-year-old slugger figures to be ready to go for Opening Day, but he has gone just 5-for-22 with three runs scored this spring.

Harper (back) had seven at-bats on a back field Friday and hopes to play first base in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees, Matt Gelb of The Athleticreports.

EDGE Analysis

The 31-year-old was able to beat out an infield single, which seems to bode well for the back stiffness that's sidelined him for the past week. Harper returning to action this weekend would quell questions about his availability for Opening Day.

Harper (back) hopes to return to action Friday in either a Grapefruit League game or minor-league game, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Phillies have held Harper out for a few days with soreness in his lower back, but he insists he's not worried about the injury and is just exercising caution. The 31-year-old is slated to be the Phillies' full-time first baseman this season after serving primarily as a designated hitter in 2023 following his return from his November 2022 Tommy John surgery.