Phillies’ Bryce Harper Eyes New Position Amid Injury Recovery

The change could enable the two-time MVP to return to playing defense sooner.

Bryce Harper is eager to return to action for the Phillies following the offseason surgery which has kept him sidelined at the start of the 2023 season. The two-time NL MVP is hoping to beat his previously listed timeline in order to help Philadelphia during the first half of the regular season, and it seems he’s willing to take lofty measures to do so.

According to Matt Gelb of The Athletic, Harper intends to learn to play first base in hopes of making a faster return to the Phillies’ defense. 

The report indicates that it was Harper himself who pitched the idea to Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. 

Moving to first base would enable Harper to return to the field  sooner than if he were to return to right field. The possible positional change isn’t expected to impact Harper’s timeline to return to the lineup as a designated hitter, however.

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Harper still is expected to be Philadelphia’s DH when he’s activated from the 15-day IL. The Phillies opted against placing Harper on the 60-day IL at the start of the season, which leaves the door open for him to return before June. 

“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, via The Athletic. “Whatever it is. Whatever they want. It gives them the option to do that.”

The Phillies may not end up utilizing Harper at first base, but he’s indicated that it’s something he’s more than willing to try if it means helping out the team.