<br><div><aside class="gnt_em gnt_em__fp gnt_em_vp__tp gnt_em__el" aria-label="Video - Watch longtime minor leaguer Wynton Bernard tearfully tell his mom he made it to the MLB"/><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">The late-August trade deadline is no more, but fortunately for Major League Baseball playoff contenders, a cherished trope from years past will truly come into play as <a target="_blank" href="/story/sports/mlb/2022/08/09/mlb-players-top-dogs-in-baseball/10253799002/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|inline click|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">teams head for the homestretch</a> and the postseason.</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">Yep, a handful of players returning from injury will be more impactful than the proverbial trade acquisition.</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">With division races tightening up and wild-card battles gaining definition, a handful of stars are on the mend from injuries, many of them months-long, impactful absences. Their returns could be even more important – on who gets in the playoffs, and who advances within commissioner <a target="_blank" href="/story/sports/mlb/2022/06/23/mlbs-new-playoff-format-does-best-team-win-world-series/7693802001/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|inline click|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">Rob Manfred’s expansive bracket.</a></p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">A glimpse at seven players who can upset the balance of power, in order of potential impact:</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><strong>MLB HOT SEAT:</strong><a target="_blank" href="/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2022/08/15/after-chris-woodward-who-could-next-mlb-manager-fired/10331697002/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|inline click|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">Which manager will be the next fired?</a></p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><strong>NEWSLETTER</strong>: <a target="_blank" href="https://profile.usatoday.com/newsletters/sports/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|inline click|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">Get the latest sports news straight to your inbox</a></p><h2 class="gnt_ar_b_mt">Bryce Harper, Phillies</h2><p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><strong>Out since</strong>: June 25, when he suffered a fractured left thumb that required surgery.</p><aside aria-label="advertisement" class="gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al"/><p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><strong>Next step</strong>: Harper took more than 50 swings at Citizens Bank Park on Monday and could begin a rehab assignment next week.</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><strong>Big picture</strong>: The reigning NL MVP was having another trophy-worthy year (.318/.386/.599, 15 homers) when a Blake Snell pitch fractured his thumb. Most significantly, the Phillies finally found their sea legs without him and moved firmly into wild card position. Can they threaten Atlanta, which leads them by six games, for home field advantage? Probably not, but a red-hot Harper in September and October would give Philly...</p></div> <style> .wrapper { text-align: center; } </style> <div class="wrapper"> <a class="button" href ="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/gabe-lacques/2022/08/17/mlb-injury-bryce-harper-update-standings-playoffs/10340022002/">Read more <span>➤</span></a> </div>
