Harper Could Be Shifted To Phillies First Base Later This Season

Bryce Harper is still set to return around the All-Star break, but will likely be in a different role than expected.

Bryce Harper’s timetable hasn’t been altered.

He’s scheduled to return to the Philadelphia Phillies from Tommy John surgery anywhere from mid-May to mid-July depending on who you ask.

When Harper does come back, however, he very well could be playing first base, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic.

Yes, first base.

Harper will still be utilized as the designated hitter, but when he does play the field, it will likely be at first base instead of right field.

“That just tells you something about Harp,” manager Rob Thomson told The Athletic. “The team guy that he is. He wants to play.”

Harper had been expected to be inserted exclusively as a DH with the possibility of him returning to right field by September.

There’s a good chance he could play at first even sooner.

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

In his early years, Harper was a third baseman and catcher.

Rhys Hoskins has been lost for the regular season with a torn ACL. Darick Hall underwent thumb surgery and is expected to be sidelined for two months.

Thomson has sent a number of players to play first including Alec Bohm and Kody Clemens. J.T. Realmuto is also an option.

Soon it could be Harper.

“I have thought about it, I guess,” Harper told The Athletic. “That kind of thing. But the opportunity of course never was there because we had a big-time first baseman. Right? But, now, we kind of have a revolving door over there. It just gives us a chance to do it.”

Why not? Harper is an outstanding athlete and it could give Thomson more flexibility with the DH in the everyday lineup.

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