Phillies Bullpen Struggles as Harper Nears Return

The Philadelphia Phillies have climbed to the top of the NL East with a 47-33 record, aided by the New York Mets' recent struggles. Despite their success, the Phillies' bullpen has underperformed, ranking 25th in MLB with a 4.63 ERA and suffering the suspension of closer José Alvarado. General manager Dave Dombrowski has made acquiring relief pitching a priority ahead of the July 31 trade deadline. Bryce Harper is making progress in his recovery from a wrist injury and could return within the next week, though the team has not provided an exact date. Harper has resumed full baseball activities, and his return is expected to strengthen the lineup. The Phillies have relied on strong offensive contributions from Trea Turner, Alec Bohm, and Kyle Schwarber during Harper's absence.