Harper (right elbow) remains in holding pattern

PHILADELPHIA -- Bryce Harper’s strained right elbow needs more time to heal.

How much more? Nobody knows.

Harper, who sustained the injury while making a throw to home plate against the Mets on April 11, was examined by a team doctor before Tuesday night’s 6-4 loss to the Rangers at Citizens Bank Park. He has not played right field since April 16.

“We’re still kind of sit and wait,” Harper said Wednesday afternoon. “That’s about it. It’s pretty much the same report that we had last time. Just try to see day by day when we can throw again. I’m just not there yet.”

The injury does not affect Harper when he swings, so he will continue to DH for the foreseeable future.

“I miss playing,” Harper said. “I really do. I miss being out there with my team and playing on the field. It’s been tough. I want to get back out there. I want to help this team on both sides of the ball. I miss playing right [field]. … That’s been a grind for me. Just worrying about hitting all day, instead of going out there and playing both sides of the ball.”

Harper said there is no date circled on the calendar to try throwing again. He last tested his elbow on April 26 and 27.

“Just when I feel good and can let it go the way I want to,” Harper said. “You guys know how I throw from the outfield. I try to throw it as hard as I can when I throw. I’m just not there yet.”

Harper said he feels no tenderness when he is engaged in everyday activities.

“It’s just when I try throwing a baseball, it just aches,” he said.

No anti-inflammatory injection is scheduled at this point, Harper said.

“We’re not going to push it,” Phillies manager Joe Girardi said. “I don’t want a setback.”