BREAKING: Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper to Play First Base in 2023
The Philadelphia Phillies are "full-go" with a plan to have superstar Bryce Harper play first base upon his return from Tommy John surgery.
In an article published in 'The Athletic' on Wednesday, Phillies upper management has given its support to the plan, as has the Phillies coaching staff and medical team.
Harper has been out all season because of the elbow surgery and is still going to come back to the Phillies as a designated hitter first, because he'll be able to hit before playing defense, but playing first base may allow him a speedier return than the outfield given that there is less throwing.
From the article, written by Matt Gelb:
"This week, the Phillies initiated the plan. They are preparing Harper to play first base later this season. This does not affect his timetable to return to the Phillies’ lineup — he will still return as the designated hitter because he will be cleared to hit in games before he is cleared to throw. But if Harper takes to the new position, the Phillies think it could allow him to return to the field sooner than if he played right field."
He has already begun working out at first base and owns his own first baseman's glove. He has just two appearances at first base in his career, both as a result of a team bringing him in from the outfield in a 5-man infield situation. He did come up as a catcher and third baseman, so he certainly has infield experience in his life, albeit not at this level.
This position change, at least for this year, makes sense. The Phillies have already lost Rhys Hoskins to a torn ACL and now have lost Darick Hall to an injury for at least two months. They have been using Kody Clemens and Alec Bohm at first base in certain situations.
Harper says: “If I can give them whatever they want from first base, or right field, or whatever it is — not just this year, but going forward — it gives us an opportunity,” Harper said. “Whatever it is. Whatever they want. It gives them the option to do that.”
This also gives President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski a chance to be creative at the trade deadline. If Harper can play first base and the DH spot can be opened up, there's a chance to go out and acquire a player that can push Kyle Schwarber or Nick Castellanos to DH.
For his career, Harper is a .280 hitter with 285 home runs. He is a seven-time all-star who won the MVP award in both 2015 and 2021 in the National League.
He helped the Phillies advance to the World Series in 2022, where they lost to the Houston Astros in six games.
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