Harper making first career start at 1B

CLEVELAND — The quantity 4, denoting Bryce Harper‘s cleanup place within the batting order, was nothing new. But that three on the opposite aspect of Harper’s identify on the Phillies’ lineup card posted within the guests’ clubhouse at Progressive Field on Friday was actually an odd sight.

After months of expectation and preparation, “first baseman Bryce Harper” turned a actuality within the opener of the Interleague set between the Phils and the Guardians. The Phillies additionally reactivated Josh Harrison from the 10-day injured record and recalled Jake Cave, who began in left area Friday. Darick Hall and Drew Ellis have been optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Harper, ordinarily a proper fielder, had not performed the sector since April 16, 2022, after he tore his ulnar collateral ligament in his proper elbow. He was capable of keep within the lineup final season because the designated hitter earlier than present process offseason Tommy John surgical procedure, and he had remained at DH since his May 2 return. Harper had volunteered to study first base within the wake of Rhys Hoskins’ season-ending knee damage throughout Spring Training.

Getting Harper again within the area – albeit at a special area place – offers the Phillies wanted flexibility of their lineup.

“If Bryce can move to first base, it allows us to free up the DH spot and put Kyle [Schwarber] there a little bit more,” Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski mentioned just lately, “and then, we have the ability to decide what we want to do in left field — or the outfield, period.”

It’s uncommon, although not unprecedented, for a participant of Harper’s caliber to make a mid-career place change. The likes of Robin Yount (from shortstop to heart area) and Craig Biggio (catcher to second base) did it within the midst of their Hall of Fame careers.

“You know, from watching him through the years, he looks to me like a semi-decent athlete,” Guardians supervisor Terry Francona mentioned sarcastically. “He’s had time to work at it. I’m sure they wouldn’t put him out there until they were comfortable. You’re gonna be able to do it.”

Harper, who made it again from Tommy John a lot before anticipated, entered Friday with a .295/.388/.415 slash this yr, however with only one homer in his final 43 video games.