Skip to content
967sports

967sports

"Where Every Play Sparks an Epic Sports Story"

Primary Menu
  • Home
  • Football
  • Hockey
  • Basketball
  • NBA
  • NHL
  • NRL
  • sport cars
  • MLB
Live
  • Home
  • 2024
  • March
  • 18
  • Phillies manager unconcerned about Bryce Harper’s readiness for Opening Day
  • MLB

Phillies manager unconcerned about Bryce Harper’s readiness for Opening Day

967sportsof March 18, 2024

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
Bryce-Harper-batting-Philadelphia-Phillies-October-1-2022

Bryce Harper sat out his third straight Grapefruit League game on Sunday due to back stiffness, with Phillies manager Rob Thomson confirming he will also miss Monday’s game.

Thomson expressed minimal concern about Harper missing time at the start of the regular season, stating he has “zero” worry and expects Harper to return to the lineup later in the week. Thomson explained on Sunday that Harper’s absence is a precautionary measure due to the heavy workload he has been managing, including numerous swings and defensive drills.

Bryce Harper | Biography, Stats, & Contract | Britannica

Harper has had a relatively quiet spring at the plate, hitting just .227 with no home runs or RBIs in 26 plate appearances, resulting in an OPS of .619. Jayson Stark of The Athletic noted that Harper has never gone without a home run in any spring training where he has played, except for when he missed the 2023 spring training while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Despite Harper’s underwhelming spring numbers, his performance is not a major concern given his established track record. However, any potential recurrence of his back issues could disrupt the Phillies’ plans for a stronger defensive lineup in 2024. Harper’s shift to first base opens up the designated hitter spot for Kyle Schwarber, who struggled defensively in left field in 2023. Despite his limited experience at first base, Harper has shown promise at the position. At the start of spring training, Harper expressed his ambition to excel as a first baseman.Bryce Harper | Biography, Stats, & Contract | Britannicahttps://twitter.com/i/status/1760346268902084629

With Rhys Hoskins now playing for the Milwaukee Brewers, the Philadelphia Phillies have limited options at first base beyond Bryce Harper. Third baseman Alec Bohm and outfielder Jake Cave are potential candidates, while catcher J.T. Realmuto has some experience at first but is primarily needed behind the plate. Despite Harper’s successful tenure in Philadelphia, injuries have been a concern.

In addition to his Tommy John surgery, Harper has missed significant time due to a broken thumb in 2022 and back issues in August 2023, leading to more time as a designated hitter. While his current back stiffness is not causing alarm, it is a situation worth monitoring as the regular season approaches.

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Continue Reading

Previous: Detroit Red Wings have a decision to make regarding the future of 30-year-old…
Next: Jos Verstappen has voiced worries regarding an enduring power struggle…

Related Stories

IMG_1392
  • MLB
  • St. Louis Cardinals

Willeman Picked Up by Reds After Strong Start to Season in Sioux City

Kelly June 27, 2025
IMG_1391
  • MLB
  • St. Louis Cardinals

Cardinals Receive Timely Boost as Promising Young Outfielder Returns from Appendicitis Setback to Fuel Momentum in Tight NL Wild Card Race

Kelly June 27, 2025
IMG_1389
  • MLB
  • New York Yankees

MLB Fans Choose Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani as Top Vote-Getters to Headline 2025 All-Star Game Starting Lineups at Atlanta’s Truist Park

Kelly June 27, 2025

You may have missed

IMG_1392
  • MLB
  • St. Louis Cardinals

Willeman Picked Up by Reds After Strong Start to Season in Sioux City

Kelly June 27, 2025
IMG_1391
  • MLB
  • St. Louis Cardinals

Cardinals Receive Timely Boost as Promising Young Outfielder Returns from Appendicitis Setback to Fuel Momentum in Tight NL Wild Card Race

Kelly June 27, 2025
IMG_1389
  • MLB
  • New York Yankees

MLB Fans Choose Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani as Top Vote-Getters to Headline 2025 All-Star Game Starting Lineups at Atlanta’s Truist Park

Kelly June 27, 2025
IMG_0990
  • Baseball
  • MLB
  • New York Yankees

MAJOR BOOST: Yankees Secure Big-Time Power Upgrade at Third Base Ahead of Playoff Push — Key Trade Reshapes Infield and Boosts October Hopes

Kelly June 18, 2025

Categories

  • A-League (1)
  • AFL (546)
  • AFLW (2)
  • Alexander zverev (4)
  • Aston Martin (2)
  • Astrit Selmani (1)
  • Baseball (662)
  • Basketball (379)
  • BOXING (3)
  • Canadian Premier League (3)
  • CFL (57)
  • Chicago Blackhawks (1)
  • Cincinnati Reds (5)
  • CRICKET (37)
  • CYCLING (2)
  • darts championship (9)
    • Mercedes-Benz (7)
  • Dinamo București (1)
  • Dog Show (1)
  • Edmonton Oilers (1)
  • Football (89)
    • Bundesliga (2)
    • Champion League (1)
    • Championship (1)
    • La Liga (3)
    • Premier League (39)
  • Formula 1 (67)
  • formula1 (154)
  • golf (9)
  • Hockey (259)
  • huskies (1)
  • Kansas State Wildcats (1)
  • manchester united (2)
  • Michigan (1)
  • michigan wolverines (8)
  • MLB (1,102)
  • MLS (126)
  • MMA (2)
  • MotoGP (2)
  • National football league (2)
  • National League (1)
  • NBA (372)
  • NCAA (1,544)
  • NCAA BASKETBALL (11)
  • NCCA (35)
  • New England Patriots (8)
  • New York Yankees (7)
  • NFL (3,017)
  • NHL (247)
  • Novak Djokovic (1)
  • NRL (362)
  • olympic (1)
  • OLYMPICS (1)
  • Oregon Ducks (1)
  • pool (1)
  • Rugby (96)
  • Samu Aghehowa (1)
  • Serie a (6)
  • Snooker (1)
  • Soccer (80)
  • sport cars (2)
  • St. Louis Cardinals (9)
  • Tadej Pogačar (1)
  • Tennis (118)
  • Texas rangers (1)
  • Transfer News (16)
  • UFC (2)
  • UFL (5)
  • USWNT (1)
  • VolleyBall (1)
  • WNBA (5)
  • Wrestling (4)

Tags

AFL Atlanta Braves Atlanta Falcons Auburn Tigers Boston Celtics Boston Red Sox Buffalo Bills Carolina Panthers Chicago Bears Cincinnati reds Cleveland Browns Cleveland Guardians Denver Broncos Detroit Lions Edmonton Oilers Essendon Bombers Formula 1 Green Bay Packers Indianapolis Colts Kansas City Chiefs Las Vegas Raiders Max Verstappen Miami Dolphins Michigan Wolverine michigan wolverines Minnesota Vikings MLB MLS NBA NCAA New England Patriots New York Giants New York Jets New York Knicks NFL NHL NRL Ohio State Buckeyes Philadelphia Eagles Philadelphia Phillies Pittsburgh Penguins Pittsburgh Steelers Seattle Seahawks Sydney Roosters Tennis
  • Home
  • Football
  • Hockey
  • Basketball
  • NBA
  • NHL
  • NRL
  • sport cars
  • MLB
  • Home
  • Football
  • Hockey
  • Basketball
  • NBA
  • NHL
  • NRL
  • sport cars
  • MLB
Copyright © All rights reserved. | MoreNews by AF themes.
%d