Phillies Bryce Harper has a warning as he, Kyle Schwarber return from injury vs LA Dodgers

The Philadelphia Phillies got two of their big bats back just in time for a home series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Phillies activated first baseman Bryce Harper and designated hitter Kyle Schwarber from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday, a few hours before the Phillies cruised to a 10-1 win over the NL West-leading Dodgers to start a three-game series at Citizens Bank Park.

Schwarber and Harper were back in their customary spots in the lineup, with Schwarber leading off and Harper batting third.

Yet neither had much to do with the victory. Harper went 0-for-4, while Schwarber did have a 2-run single.

Harper, for one, said he plans to play it "safe" this week, and not be overly aggressive. He's coming back from a pulled hamstring suffered as he ran to first base in the ninth inning of a loss to the Miami Marlins on June 27. Schwarber hurt his groin in the eighth inning of that game.

Both missed only the minimum of 10 days.

Harper’s promise didn’t last past his first at-bat. He hit a line drive that Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman knocked down in front of him. Harper then sprinted down the first base line as Freeman scrambled for the ball. He picked it up and flipped to pitcher Bobby Miller, who got to the bag just ahead of Harper.

“That was the fastest he had ran all year down to first base,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said with a laugh after the game.

While Schwarber said he's back to 100%, and probably could have played last weekend in Atlanta if he wasn't on the IL, Harper wasn't as certain, saying, "Probably not."

But the Phillies had an off day Monday, and Harper said Tuesday that he felt good enough to play, but with a caveat.

"I'm not throwing the cloak on," Harper said. "Just understanding what I need to do to stay in the lineup."

Of course, Harper is known for doing anything but playing it safe, especially on the basepaths.

"We haven’t said anything to him (about being cautious)," Thomson said. "But he really, in our mind, can go 100% or he wouldn’t be playing. But if he’s going to be cautious, I’m OK with that."

MLB All-Star Game:Phillies star Alec Bohm to participate in Home Run Derby

Arlington bound:3 Phillies named National League starters for 2024 All-Star Game

Both players said they wanted to get back before the All-Star break, which begins next week. The Phillies were 5-4 without both Schwarber, who has 17 homers and 49 RBIs, and Harper, who leads the team with 20 homers and also has 58 RBIs to go along with a .303 batting average.

Harper, who said he plans to play in the All-Star game next Tuesday, said that coming back to face the Dodgers and their star Shohei Ohtani, wasn't his motivation.

Then again, Harper has always been known for performing at his best in the biggest moments. And few regular season matchups are bigger than this one. The Phillies have the best record in baseball at 59-32 and the Dodgers aren't far behind at 55-37.

Clearly, these two teams could see each other in late October in the NLCS.

"Obviously, you guys know the type of player that I am, and how I go about it," Harper said before the game when asked if he can really play it safe. "But obviously, for the long haul, I need to play smart this week."

So much for that.

Phillies make roster moves for Harper, Schwarber return

To make room for Schwarber and Harper, outfielder David Dahl was designated for assignment and infielder Kody Clemens was optioned to triple-A Lehigh Valley.

South Jersey native making first career MLB start

Tyler Phillips, who made his major league debut in relief during the Phillies' 6-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves, will make his first career start Saturday against the Oakland A's at Citizens Bank Park.

Phillips, who grew up a Phillies fan in Lumberton, New Jersey, pitched the final four innings in relief of Michael Mercado on Sunday. Phillips struck out the first four batters he faced. He allowed a run on three hits in his four innings, striking out seven.

The seven strikeouts broke a Phillies record that stood for 123 years for most strikeouts by a reliever. The previous record was held by Bill Duggleby, who had six strikeouts in relief in 1901.

Thomson said the plan all along was for Phillips to become a starter when he was called up to replace Spencer Turnbull on the roster when Turnbull went on the IL on June 26. But Michael Mercado got the start Sunday because Phillips wasn't on his regular turn.

Mercado was pulled after allowing five runs in 1⅔ innings. Phillips will have six days of rest before his start Saturday, no doubt in front of several friends and family members.

"He was pretty excited when I told him, no doubt about it," Thomson said. "I think he’ll be excited on Saturday."

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.