As Bryce Harper continues to work his way back from a fractured thumb, the Philadelphia Phillies are "cutting back" on his throwing program because of stiffness in his right elbow.

Harper is expected to return sometime in September from the thumb injury, but he'll be limited to designated hitter duties because of the lingering elbow issue.

He had started a light throwing program last week to test a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow that bothered him since the middle of April.

If his elbow doesn’t respond to treatment, he may need Tommy John surgery after the season. And while the recovery time is shorter for non-pitchers, it could cause him to miss time next year.