'I'm just not Bryce yet': Harper on track to play 1st after break

MIAMI -- Bryce Harper spent his Saturday afternoon roaming the infield at loanDepot park, learning the places he needs to be in different situations if he wants to play first base this season.

Harper not only plans to play first base in the second half, but he also plans to hit like he knows he can.

But nothing comes easy in baseball. Harper got drilled on his surgically repaired right elbow with a 90.2 mph fastball in the third inning in Saturday’s 5-3 loss to the Marlins, which snapped the Phillies’ franchise-record 13-game road winning streak. Harper remained in the game initially, but Bryson Stott pinch-hit for him in the fifth. X-rays were negative though, and Harper should be fine.

“Just pretty sore,” he said. “It definitely could have been worse.”

Harper will be back; if not Sunday, then after the All-Star break. Harper’s second half already figured to be interesting. His ability to play first base could impact how the front office attacks the Aug. 1 Trade Deadline. And whether he can rediscover his power stroke could improve the Phillies’ chances to make the postseason.

“I’m just not Bryce yet,” Harper said pregame. “I don't feel that.”

Harper is batting .290 with three home runs, 23 RBIs and a .790 OPS in 56 games. He defied expectations, returning from Tommy John surgery on May 2, more than two months earlier than the Phillies estimated.

But Harper has not homered in 160 consecutive plate appearances since May 25. It is the longest homerless drought of his career.

“I’m happy I’m on the field, you know?” Harper said. “I can really say that. I wouldn’t be in this position without the people in the clubhouse -- my trainers -- and the way I worked this offseason. Everything before the break was a gift. You know what I’m saying? K Long [hitting coach Kevin Long] yesterday was like, ‘Oh, you just finished Spring Training and your offseason.’ I’m like, ‘Well, if I can get 60 hits in the offseason and Spring Training that count toward my year, I’ll take it.’

“I'm not where I want to be. I'm not hitting the homers that I want or anything like that. I'm getting the hits when I need them. I still feel like I’m having good at-bats. I still feel like I’m going out there and plugging along. We have a long way to go.”

Harper is getting closer to playing first base, though.

“When I get back from the break, I know we’re going to do some more tags or cut stuff,” Harper said. “I’m not sure after that what their next plan is. I haven’t really talked to anybody about it, just trying to get the work done I need to. I think when we all feel comfortable, including Bobby [Dickerson] and [Rob Thomson], we’ll have that conversation about when I’ll start playing.”

Dave Dombrowski said the Phillies will know if Harper can play first base before the Aug. 1 Trade Deadline. That is important because if Harper can play first, they could move Kyle Schwarber from left field to DH. The Phillies then might pursue a left fielder. If Harper can’t play first base, they might focus their attention on pitching or even a corner infielder.

“I want to be really good over there, not just for myself, but for the team and the guys out there,” Harper said. “I don’t want to just go over there and, ‘Hey, this is great. I’m out here.’ No, I want to be really good over there. If we did make a move or something, if it’s a first baseman or third baseman or outfielder, we’re going to get a really good player. Like I said, I need to play good over there -- and I want to be good over there, not just go out there and play.”

If Harper plays first base, if he hits for power, and if the Phillies make upgrades before Aug. 1, the Phillies like their chances for another Red October run.

“We're really good,” Harper said. “I don't think we're done getting anybody. I know that Dombrowski and John [Middleton] are going to look for everything for us to be better. If that's bullpen, if that's pitching, if that's hitting or offense -- whatever it is. I know they're going to get what we need. Our bullpen's been really good for us. Our starting pitching has been great. Offense hasn't hit the way we talked about, right? Homers, things like that.

"But, as a whole, I think we've done a great job. As of late, we've played great baseball. We just have to continue to do that the next two days and go into the break with a good mind. After the break, we have some good teams we're going to play. We just have to keep going. Keep building on each day.”