Bryce Harper looks to return to his defensive responsibilities, but not at the position we’re used to seeing him.
The two-time National League MVP looks to make his debut at first base in the current series against the San Diego Padres, or against the Milwaukee Brewers which begins on Tuesday.
Harper’s transition to the infield position will be a slow one, however.
“We’re going to ease him into this thing,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson told media Saturday before the game, including NBC Sports Philadelphia. “Play him, give him a day off. Play him two days, give him a day off. It’s not going to be every day.”
As far as Saturday’s game is concerned, Harper was in the lineup starting in the designated hitter role. That’s where he’s remained since his return.
“We’ll learn more in game situations, but I told him the other day as far as arm strength, you might have the best arm strength of any first baseman right now in the major leagues,” Thomson said. “He can really throw. It’s remarkable really how far he’s come in a short period of time.”
Harper underwent Tommy John surgery in November after dealing with a UCL injury that he played through during the entirety of the 2022 playoffs in which Philadelphia made it to the World Series.
During that time, he boasted a .349 average with a 1.160 OPS and six home runs.
Harper has been ahead of schedule since the procedure, and has fared well. He’s currently slashing .290/.384/.397 with three home runs, 23 RBI and 62 hits in 214 at-bats.
“I think in time he’s going to be really good because he’s athletic, his glove skills are really good, he moves his feet, he’s reading hops,” Thomson said. “The thing we have to move through as this thing goes on is just situational — cuts and relays, bunt plays, that type of thing. We have no other way to do it other than put him in a game.”
