Bryce Harper wore a massive elbow brace in his return and MLB fans were shocked

Even though he’s a position player, it’s still astonishing that Bryce Harper is already making a return from Tommy John surgery. The former MVP was in the lineup on Tuesday and Wednesday after undergoing surgery 160 days ago.

But it’s awfully clear that Harper is still going to be dealing with some restrictions as he runs the bases this season.

During Wednesday’s game against the Dodgers, Harper got his first hit since returning with a double down the line. As he slid into second, he seemed to consciously protect that arm with a feet-first slide. And once he got on base, he opted to sport an accessory that you almost never see in a baseball game:

A full metal elbow brace.

SO BACK.

Bryce Harper's first hit of the 2023 regular season is a double: pic.twitter.com/m3UBJnduCe

— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) May 3, 2023

I mean, look at that thing.

Bryce Harper playing baseball with a full blown cast on. Dude is a maniac pic.twitter.com/tD9OccDNV4

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 3, 2023

We see that brace often on players who are recovering from Tommy John surgery, but we never see a player actively wear one *while* playing baseball. You could also make the argument that if he needs the brace, then he probably shouldn’t be playing yet. Harper is just something else.

MLB fans were definitely stunned by the brace as well.