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Before Pete Alonso re-signed with the New York Mets, the Philadelphia Phillies were among the teams that "checked in" on his free agent market, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Alonso ultimately chose to return to Queens on a two-year, $54 million deal with an opt-out clause after the 2025 season. This interest from the Phillies marks the first public indication of their pursuit of Alonso, revealing their willingness to make a significant move within the NL East.
Bryce Harper hinted at the Phillies' interest earlier this week when discussing his potential return to right field. Harper mentioned that when Alonso was still available, he suggested to the team and his agent, Scott Boras, that he would be open to moving back to the outfield if it would benefit the team. "When Pete was on the block still, I kind of sat there and was like, 'Hey, why not?'" Harper said. "I love playing first base. It’s been great. But if it’s going to help us win, I’d go back out there [to the outfield]." This willingness to adapt highlights Harper's commitment to the team's success and the potential impact Alonso could have had on the Phillies' roster.
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Bryce Harper, who hasn't played the outfield in a while, is open to returning to his former position if the Phillies secure a major addition at first base. Speaking to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Harper mentioned that he discussed this possibility with the Phillies during the offseason. He expressed his willingness to accommodate a new first baseman who could significantly enhance the team's lineup and overall demeanor. Harper added that while the team likes him at first base, he would move back to the outfield for a player capable of hitting 35 to 40 home runs.
Harper's last stint in the outfield ended when he was diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow in May 2022. Unable to throw, Harper served as the team's designated hitter until he underwent Tommy John surgery in November of that year. Upon his initial recovery in 2023, he continued as the designated hitter before being placed at first base by the Phillies. Harper's flexibility and team-first attitude highlight his commitment to the Phillies' success, as he remains open to changing positions if it benefits the team. Once teammates on the Washington Nationals from 2015 to 2021 and briefly with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2021, Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner and Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer now find themselves on opposite sides of the diamond. Despite their current rivalry, Turner couldn’t resist having some fun at Scherzer’s expense during a recent matchup. In the Phillies’ 5–4 loss to the Blue Jays on Sunday, Turner stepped up for the game’s first at-bat and used MLB’s automated ball-strike system to challenge an obvious strike thrown by Scherzer, who has been vocal about his skepticism toward the experimental technology.
Turner later shared the lighthearted moment with MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki, noting, “I don’t think he realized that I challenged it.” The two shared a laugh, with Turner admitting he aimed to get a reaction out of his former teammate. “In the regular season, it would really piss him off,” Turner said, “but now he’s kind of faking his little act.” While Turner enjoyed seeing Scherzer’s mock frustration, the pitcher ultimately had the upper hand, holding Turner hitless in an 0-for-3 performance as the Blue Jays secured the win. The Philadelphia Phillies and slugger Kyle Schwarber have engaged in preliminary extension discussions this spring, as reported by The Athletic, though no agreement appears close at this stage. Schwarber, who turns 32 in March, is entering the final year of a four-year, $79 million contract signed in March 2022, set to earn $20 million in 2025 before hitting free agency. The power hitter has made it clear he’d love to stay with Philadelphia beyond this season, sparking talks that could secure his future with the team he’s called home for the past three years.
Since joining the Phillies, Schwarber has been a force at the plate, smashing 131 home runs and posting a .344 on-base percentage across three seasons. An extension might keep him in red pinstripes for another two to three years at a similar $20 million annual salary. He’s not the only key Phillie facing free agency after 2025—catcher JT Realmuto and pitcher Ranger Suárez are also in the mix, with Realmuto likewise open to sticking around. As spring unfolds, these talks hint at Philadelphia’s intent to lock in core players who’ve fueled their recent success, though fans will have to wait to see if Schwarber’s extension dreams come to fruition. Jesus Luzardo turned heads in his spring training debut with the Philadelphia Phillies, delivering two flawless innings against the Boston Red Sox on February 28, 2025. The left-hander’s fastball hit 98 mph, and he struck out two while displaying sharp command of his changeup and slider. Luzardo needed just 20 pitches—14 of them strikes—to retire all six batters he faced, generating six swings-and-misses along the way. After battling injuries last season, this outing underscored his restored velocity and precision, fueling excitement about his potential impact on Philadelphia’s starting rotation.
Beyond the stats, Luzardo’s performance was a powerful declaration of his health and preparedness, a sentiment echoed by multiple reports following the game. His efficiency and dominance in this initial appearance suggest he’s poised to become a cornerstone for the Phillies as the regular season nears. For a team looking to solidify its pitching staff, Luzardo’s stellar debut offers a glimpse of the upside he brings, setting an optimistic tone for his integration into the roster. Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper is set to reclaim his spot in the lineup on Friday, just two days after taking a pitch to the arm. The slugger will return to his familiar role at first base and bat second in the order as the Phillies take on the Boston Red Sox. His swift comeback underscores his resilience and the team’s confidence in his readiness to contribute, keeping Philadelphia’s potent offense on track.
The incident occurred when Harper was struck on the right arm by a 92 mph fastball from Toronto Blue Jays southpaw Richard Lovelady, leaving him with a noticeable bruise. Despite the scare, Phillies manager Rob Thomson downplayed any long-term worries, noting that Harper’s absence on Thursday was a planned rest day rather than a cause for alarm. “We’re not really overconcerned at all,” Thomson told reporters, signaling that Harper’s return is business as usual for the team. Phillies manager Rob Thomson reassured fans that there is no major cause for concern regarding Bryce Harper after the star slugger exited Wednesday's exhibition game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Harper was hit on the right arm by a 92 mph pitch from Blue Jays left-hander Richard Lovelady, resulting in a bruise. "We’ll check him tomorrow but it’s a contusion in the triceps area," Thomson told reporters, adding that Harper had already been scheduled for a day off on Thursday. The team remains optimistic about his recovery, indicating that the injury is not serious.
The game saw four players hit by pitches, with Lovelady also being charged with a wild pitch. Thomson noted that such incidents are not uncommon in early spring training as pitchers work to regain their command. "It's early spring training so guys don’t have their command down," Thomson explained. "There were a bunch of guys hit today. I can’t speak for the kid but maybe he was a little nervous, it’s Bryce Harper. It’s baseball." Despite the incident, the Phillies are confident in Harper's ability to recover quickly and continue preparing for the upcoming season. Philadelphia Phillies utility man Weston Wilson is expected to miss at least six weeks after suffering an oblique strain during batting practice. This injury comes at a crucial time, as Wilson was competing for a spot on the Phillies' Opening Day roster. Manager Rob Thomson confirmed the news, noting that Wilson had been a strong contender for the final bench spot due to his versatility and solid performance in previous seasons.
With Wilson sidelined, the Phillies will need to explore other options to fill the void. Players like Rafael Marchán, Edmundo Sosa, and Johan Rojas are already penciled in for bench roles, but the competition for the remaining spot is now wide open. Infielder Buddy Kennedy, who has shown promise in Triple-A, is now a leading candidate to make the Opening Day roster. The team will closely monitor Wilson's recovery, hoping to have him back in action as soon as possible. |
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