Here are the answers to the most asked questions of the past week. Yes, Bryce Harper is rehabbing with the IronPigs this week. No, I cannot get him to autograph a ball, bat, or other item for you. And finally, I do not know which hotel he is staying in or even if he is going to be staying in the Lehigh Valley. Philadelphia is not that far away, so he could commute. I would also remind you that there are perfectly good laws against stalking.

Harper will be among the highest profile players to ever have rehabbed at Coca-Cola Park when he serves as the Lehigh Valley designated hitter. He will join the likes of Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, and Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez to spend some time with the ‘Pigs. Howard and Utley were both extremely accommodating to both fans and media as most major league rehabbers are. Martinez was shall we say, a little less accommodating.

If all goes as scripted by the Phillies, the plan is for the reigning National League MVP to play Tuesday through Saturday, take Sunday off and then be activated on Monday just in time for a road trip to Arizona. Keep in mind that a lot will be determined by how Harper and his formerly broken left thumb are feeling. Any stiffness, soreness or swelling and he will sit for a day before going back to the batter’s box. Harper has been taking batting practice in Philadelphia for almost a week with no complications.

Had Harper not been injured, it is possible that he would be in the discussion for the MVP once again and the Phillies would have a firmer grip on a playoff spot. At the time that he got hit by a pitch by San Diego’s Blake Snell, Harper was hitting .318 with 15 home runs and 48 RBIs in 64 games with the Phillies. Even though he was injured, Harper was voted to be the starting DH for the National League in this year’s All-Star Game.

When he returns to Philadelphia’s lineup, Harper will be in a playoff race. The IronPigs are in a playoff hunt as well, and while the main goal is for Harper to rehab his thumb, his bat in the lineup could be a big boost to a team that has fallen two games behind Durham in the IL East. Only the division winner goes to the playoffs – actually, a one-game playoff – before facing the top team from the Pacific Coast League for the Triple-A Championship in Las Vegas in October.

The Pigs host the Gwinnett Stripers (Atlanta) this week. The Stripers were moved to the IL West and are 58-59 and 12½ games behind front-running Nashville (Milwaukee). There is somewhat of a rivalry between Lehigh Valley and Gwinnett since their parent clubs are fierce division rivals in the majors.

CALLING MR. PLASSMEYER

... Michael Plassmeyer was added to the 40-man roster Monday by the Phillies. With a weary bullpen, Plassmeyer was added in the event that starter Noah Syndergaard would run into trouble and the team would need a long man out of the bullpen. Syndergaard allowed just one run over seven innings and Plassmeyer was not needed. It is possible that Plassmeyer stays with the Phillies short-term as a long reliever especially since they have lost relievers Corey Knebel and Seranthony Dominguez to injuries.

THAT WENT WELL

... The top three pitching prospects are now all members of the Reading Fightin’ Phils. The Portland Sea Dogs (Boston) had the honor of facing Griff McGarry and newly promoted pitchers Mick Abel, 21, and Andrew Painter, 19, over the weekend. Things did not go well for the Sea Dogs. Abel and Painter were both making their Double-A debut, and both threw six strong innings, allowing a total of just two earned runs and striking out 16 batters while walking just one batter.

THAT DIDN’T GO WELL

... Tyler Cyr made his MLB debut against the Mets on Sunday and gave up two hits – one of which was a home run – over a third of an inning. If you are mathematically inclined, that put his ERA at 27.00 after one game. Cyr was designated for assignment on Monday and will have to go through waivers or be released before he can return to the minors. Odds are that he will clear waivers and be back with the IronPigs later this week.