Bryce Harper missed his third Grapefruit League game on Sunday due to back stiffness and will miss his fourth consecutive game on Monday, according to Phillies manager Rob Thomson.
With Opening Day less than two weeks away, Thomson appears unconcerned with his superstar missing time at the start of the regular season, stating he has “zero” concerns and that Harper will “for sure” be back in the lineup later this week, according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com.
“I’ve backed him off,” Thomson said on Sunday. “He has been doing a lot of work. A lot of swings and defensive practice. He became stiff, so we’re simply being cautious. We’ll simply back him off for a few days.”
The Phillies’ new full-time first baseman has had a quiet spring on the diamond. In 26 spring plate appearances, Harper has hit.227 with no home runs or RBIs and an OPS of.619.
According to Jayson Stark of The Athletic, Harper has never gone without a home run in any spring training game in which he has participated. Harper missed spring training in 2023 as he recovered from Tommy John surgery.
Of course, spring training metrics for a seasoned veteran like Harper, whether good or terrible, don’t represent much in the big picture. However, if he suffers from recurring back difficulties, it could jeopardize the Phillies’ ambitions to field a superior defensive team in 2024.
With Harper’s move to first, Kyle Schwarber, who struggled in left field in 2023, will finally become the team’s primary designated hitter in 2024. Despite playing less than a full season at first base, Harper has demonstrated natural talent at the position. At the start of spring training, Harper discussed his desire to become a great first baseman.
With former first baseman Rhys Hoskins now in Milwaukee, the Phillies’ alternatives at first base beyond Harper are third baseman Alec Bohm and outfielder Jake Cave. Catcher J.T. Realmuto has made 51 appearances at first base in his career, but his defensive skill behind the plate makes him unsuitable for more than a few games.
Despite his success in Philadelphia, Harper has had his fair share of ailments in recent years. Aside from the aforementioned Tommy John surgery for a damaged elbow ligament, Harper missed significant time in 2022 with a broken thumb and fought with back difficulties last August, forcing him to spend more time at DH.
According to the team’s manager, Harper’s situation is not a source of concern for the time being. However, it provides viewers with something to keep an eye on as the regular season approaches.
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