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PHILADELPHIA — The ship appears to have sailed on Bryce Harper as an outfielder in 2023. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing for the Phillies.
Manager Rob Thomson is so pleased with Harper at first base that he sees no reason to test the former National League MVP’s surgically repaired elbow in the outfield.
“I’m pretty happy with where he’s at at first base,” Thomson said Saturday before a game with Kansas City. “He’s played extremely well. As far as him handling the situations, him fielding groundballs, his work around the base, I’m really happy with it, and frankly surprised a little bit.”
When asked if that means Harper won’t return to the outfield this year, Thomson replied, “I wouldn’t think so, not at this point, unless something changes.”
It’s been a stepwise last 18 months since Harper injured the ulnar collateral ligament in his right (throwing) elbow last April. He was limited to designated hitter duty in the Phillies’ World Series run, then underwent Tommy John surgery in November. Harper returned as a DH on May 2, then got his first start in the field at first on July 21.
Harper has played nine games at first base, including five of the last eight and three of four. He has handled 70 chances with one error and five assists.
Harper is batting .290 with five homers and 32 RBIs. He is hitting .270 in starts at first.
When Harper was working back toward the field in June and July, the hope was that he could play the outfield by season’s end, as long as he progressed in his throwing program. Roster changes around him and his comfort at first base have made that push less immediate.
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Harper got a day off Saturday with Jake Cave at first base. The logic from Thomson was to get another left-handed bat in the lineup while getting Harper a day off his feet. Harper was the designated hitter and batted third. Cave was in the nine spot.
It was just Cave’s third career game at first, all in 2023. He started there for the first time July 24. Cave had played all of one game at first in 11 seasons in the minors, this year in Lehigh Valley.
It sounds like Cave and Harper are learning the position in parallel.
“Just more situational than anything like that,” Thomson said. “Like Harp, there’s going to be situations that come up that he’s not used to, and we’ve got to live with that. But so far, he’s been really good.”
Royals starter Alec Marsh had struggled in his rookie season, going 0-5 with a 6.75 ERA. Lefties were hitting .265 against him with 13 hits and 11 walks. That’s a WHIP north of two.
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Cave and Harper factor into the other looming roster swap: Cristian Pache (elbow) could come off the IL soon. But Johan Rojas has earned an extended look in the bigs.
Thomson said Saturday he can foresee a situation where both coexist on the roster.
Rojas, promoted from Double-A at the All-Star break, is hitting .289 with eight RBIs in 38 at-bats while playing elite outfield defense.
“He’s seeing the ball very well,” Thomson said. “I think his last at-bat (Friday) night, he took some breaking balls that a lot of guys might chase. His poise has been outstanding. I’m fairly impressed by just the way he’s handled himself, his maturity, his poise. He’s had good at-bats, and he’s really comfortable in the outfield.”
The Phillies are heavy on the left side, which favors the righty Rojas. They’re light on pop from the right-hand side, where Rojas brings little. Harper’s ability to play first helps keep an extra outfielder around for days that Kyle Schwarber DHs.
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NOTES >> Jose Alvarado (elbow inflammation) will throw a bullpen session Monday. Afterward, a decision will be made if the lefty will go on a rehab assignment. Thomson’s preference is at least two stints in the minors for the flame-thrower. … The Phillies wrap up the first three-game set of a 10-game homestand Sunday at 1:35. Taijuan Walker (12-4, 3.99 ERA) takes on Zack Greinke (1-11, 5.32).
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