He said he’s going to give it a shot but do you think Bryce Harper changes positions before returning?

Where Has Harper Been?

Bryce Harper underwent Tommy John surgery during the offseason. According to ESPN.com, Harper tore his UCL in April of the 2022 season which prevented him from playing the outfield for the entire season, relegating him to the designated hitter position.

He played out the season in the DH position and underwent the surgery shortly after the Phillies lost to the Astros in the 2022 World Series.

Why Is Bryce Harper Offering To Learn A New Position?

The VERY unfortunate news out of Phillies Spring Training was the injury to first baseman, Rhys Hoskins. He was absolutely vital to the 2022 run to the World Series. Here’s a video of the injury.

But hey, we choose to be more positive than that. So let’s bring back perhaps the biggest homerun of his entire career. It will go down in history as “The Bat Spike” from the improbable 2022 run to the World Series.

We wish Hoskins a speedy recovery but it looks like he will be out for the entire season. “Bryce Harper Changes Positions” sounds a lot better now, right?

Who Took Over For Hoskins?

Darick Hall was given the big opportunity to takeover as the starting first baseman for the Phillies, sharing time with third baseman Alec Bohm who can play both positions. I actually got to interview Hall shortly after the injury to Hoskins while we were both in Clearwater, Florida for Spring Training.

Unfortunately, Hall also was injured within the first week of the regular season and now the Phillies are in a bit of trouble.

Darick Hall underwent successful right thumb ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) repair with augmentation surgery with Dr. Pedro Beredjiklian in Philadelphia, Pa., this morning. Timetable for return is approximately two months.

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) April 12, 2023?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1646226967287697408%7Ctwgr%5E40325a152e4c8388ace8c86bdbad41add932822e%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fdknation.draftkings.com%2F2023%2F4%2F12%2F23680935%2Fmlb-injury-report-darick-hall-update-philadelphia-phillies-status-return-date-timetable-kody-clemens">According to the Phillies, his recovery will be “approximately two months.”

Who Has Been Play First?

Alec Bohm has spent a good amount of time at first, Kody Clemens also has played a couple games there as well but the obvious issue is, there isn’t enough depth on this team with the injuries to Hoskins and Hall.

That is why Bryce Harper has offered to learn how to become a first baseman!

• It Was Originally Reported By Matt Gelb From The Athletic

  As you can tell, social media was a buzz with Matt’s tweet. It seems like this could be a very logical step for Harper to make more of an impact for the team (other than just DHing) but also not as much of an impact on his body as playing in the outfield.

  News: Bryce Harper is going to learn first base. He went to the Phillies with the idea earlier this month. It won’t change his timeline for returning as a DH. But it might get him back in the field sooner this season. The details: https://t.co/GsL3ih0MiC

  — Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) April 13, 2023

• Here's What Bryce Had To Say

  MAN this guy is so selfless, it’s kind of amazing that we have him on this team. What a team player!

  “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.”

  “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.”
  
  Bryce Harper has officially requested to learn first base. https://t.co/Iozx3P8DW1

  — Luke Arcaini (@ArcainiLuke) April 13, 2023

• Looks Like He's Played First Base Before...

  Okay, only for ONE OUT! lol But I guess that’s better than nothing, right?

  Bryce Harper is learning to play first base in hope that it could get him back in the field sooner than expected this season, Phillies manager Rob Thompson told @MattGelb
  
  Harper has played first base for 0.1 innings in his MLB career pic.twitter.com/o2chtIeHF6

  — Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 13, 2023

• Some Comparisons To Moneyball??

  If you’ve seen the movie, you get it! Anthony Dabbundo already made the connection.

  Bryce Harper playing first base, you say? Easy pic.twitter.com/yJmuoYt08q

  — Anthony Dabbundo (@AnthonyDabbundo) April 13, 2023

  Here’s the scene in the movie her referenced.