Phillies’ Bryce Harper to Play Defense for First Time Since 2022

He’s expected to play first base sometime this week.

Bryce Harper is likely to play first base in at least one game against the Brewers this week, Phillies manager Rob Thomson told reporters on Sunday morning. It would be the first time he’ll take the field on defense since April 16, 2022. 

Thomson did not specify in which game Harper would play first base, but the series is slated to start Tuesday night. Harper has played DH in his 58 starts this season, touting a .298 batting average and 65 hits with his four home runs. 

Harper has played first base twice during his MLB career—once in 2022 and once in ’18 while with the Nationals. The former outfielder has made a living at the plate, earning himself seven All-Star selections as one of the game’s premier bats, but he’ll need to step into the unfamiliar role sometime soon. 

Philadelphia will host Milwaukee Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.