It was an unforgettable season for the Philadelphia Phillies and their star player, Bryce Harper. They scripted the history by making it to the postseason for the second consecutive time. Although they lost the ticket to the World Series against the spirited Arizona Diamondbacks, their performances, especially Harper’s, were appreciated by all. However, only a few would have ever thought the Phillies superstar will have to switch positions.

Notably, multiple reasons were behind the praise that Harper garnered. Be it Bryce’s superhuman recovery or his shift to first base for a crucial role in defense while hammering homers at the plate. As he was not the preferred choice for first base, Harper’s exploits in the playoffs raised eyebrows, and now his permanent shift has added more fire to the case. Given it has come up at the start of the free agency, are former MVP’s injuries the reason behind this shocking move or something else?

Bryce Harper: From a Catcher in School to First Base at Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies had a heartbreaking end to their season. After leading the battle, they lost the league championship, going out of the World Series stage. Given it was not the best result, changes for the better end of next season were warranted. It seems the Phillies have already started to do so.

According to the latest reports, they have shifted Bryce Harper to the first base in an interesting move. He played in that position in a temporary measure. However, it’s not temporary any more. The $330 million star will start on the first base in the upcoming season.

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Notably, it would be another change of position in Harper’s career after starting as a catcher. He enrolled for the Stephen Strasburg at the same position before moving out to the outfield, later on in his career. Now, he will move to the infield with first base under his watch. However, what is the reason behind it?

Why Is Harper Shifting His Position Again: The Reason Behind It

The end of the MLB World Series marked the start of the free agency. Multiple players are now in the market for their next team. Notably, from the Phillies, infielder Rhys Hoskins has moved to the free agency and is unlikely to return to Philadelphia. It leaves an open place in the squad, and with Bryce Harper doing great at first base, the Phillies see him as Hoskins’s permanent replacement. Given his attributes, this is a significant move. However, it is not entirely related to Hoskins. Harper’s injuries are also the reason that has shifted him to a new position.

His Injury Timeline So Far: From Back to Forearm

Injuries are an inherent part of the physical nature of baseball. But like any other professional athlete and organization, the focus is to stay fit as much as possible. The situation is no different for Bryce Harper, who is in his early thirties but has faced multiple injuries that hampered his season run. Reportedly, Harper, since signing for the Phils on a thirteen-year contract, has experienced this multiple times, including injuries from back to hand to his forearm. If counted, the sum goes to 15 in the last five years, an average of five injuries per season. Shocking? Isn’t it?

Well, this is not all. He also had to undergo Tommy John surgery last year to heal his elbow. Him being a hitter and an outfielder, the injury almost ended the entire 2023 season, if not the superhuman recovery that made him available in a record time. However, the situation can not be similar every time.

The New York Yankees’ captain Aaron Judge, is a perfect example. The star player faced a toe injury, which left him out, impacting his and team’s season. As the 7x All-Star, Harper is in a similar age group and understands this situation. Moreover, with multiple years left in his career and contract, Harper has to stay fit to fulfill his goal with the Phillies.

Is This the Best Way Around for Bryce Harper to Prolong His Career?

Physical sports demand a lot of hard work for success. But all that only comes with a fit body and to ensure that every athlete makes adjustments. Seemingly, Harper has adjusted with a shift to first base after spending 2023 as a DH.

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