'Good day': Harper takes first BP since thumb injury

CINCINNATI -- Bryce Harper on Monday posted a brief video from his batting practice session at Citizens Bank Park.

He used Greg Street’s song “Good Day” as the clip’s soundtrack.

Yes, Harper’s first BP session since he fractured his left thumb June 25 went well. He took 60 swings. He hit off the team’s high-velocity pitching machine, too.

“I just texted him, and he said he feels great,” Phillies interim manager Rob Thomson said before Monday’s series opener against the Reds at Great American Ball Park.

Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Monday on MLB Network that Sept. 1 remains a realistic goal for Harper’s return. The Phillies play the D-backs in Arizona from Aug. 29-31. They play the Giants in San Francisco from Sept. 2-4.

Harper will take batting practice again Wednesday. Thomson said he thought Harper likely would need at least one more BP session after that. Thomson said it is probably unlikely that Harper begins a rehab assignment this weekend.

“I’d say he’s getting close, but probably not there yet,” Thomson said.

But early next week is within reach. If Harper begins a rehab assignment next week, he might be only a week away from rejoining the team.