Philadelphia Phillies DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (back) was hitting and fielding again on Thursday. While Harper has not played in a Grapefruit League game since March 14 because of soreness in his lower back, Thursday represented his third consecutive day of baseball activities. The 31-year-old slugger is scheduled to get at-bats at Carpenter Complex on Friday and Saturday, so he appears to be on track for Philly's Opening Day matchup versus the Atlanta Braves on March 28. There's been concern about Harper because he's had back issues in the past, although he's never been placed on the injured list because of them. This situation remains worth monitoring, but fantasy managers don't need to adjust Harper's 17 NFBC ADP at this juncture. Through 26 plate appearances this spring, the two-time National League MVP is slashing only .227/.346/.273 with one double and three runs scored but has stolen two bases in just nine games.

Despite not having a good spring, outfielder Johan Rojas remains the favorite to open the year as the Philadelphia Phillies' starting center fielder, according to team sources. There could be an official verdict later this week, according to manager Rob Thomson. The Phillies will continue to monitor Rojas' Grapefruit League at-bats as he continues to make mechanical changes to his swing. He chased some pitches in four hitless at-bats on Tuesday and is hitting .156/.174/.267 this spring. The Phillies know that Rojas will bat ninth and play an elite defense in center field if he's on the big-league roster, but they want him to chase less and refine his swing. If Rojas isn't the everyday center fielder, the Phillies would be committing to regular playing time for Whit Merrifield as their left fielder, with Brandon Marsh in center. Ideally, the Phils want Merrifield to play two or three times a week.

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (back) was held out of the lineup for the fifth consecutive day in Tuesday's 0-0 Grapefruit League tie with the Tigers. The 31-year-old has been dealing with back stiffness. However, manager Rob Thompson said, "He took ground balls today and swung the bat. He's feeling better." It does not sound like a serious injury, and the Phillies may simply be playing it safe with one of their top players. Fortunately, at this time, it seems like the organization is not worried about his health heading into Opening Day.

Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Orion Kerkering (illness) might not be ready for Opening Day on March 28, according to manager Rob Thomson. Kerkering hasn't pitched in the Grapefruit League since March 1 because of the flu, although he's scheduled to throw at the team's spring complex sometime this week. "He's 22 years old," Thomson said. "We're not going to push this thing." Kerkering has appeared in only two spring games and might need to open the year on the injured list in order to rebuild his strength. The former fifth-round pick in 2022 out of South Florida went from playing in Single-A in 2023 to pitching high-leverage innings in the majors in the postseason last fall. Kerkering has a nasty sinker/slider mix that can make him almost unhittable as a future closer candidate for the Phillies.

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (back) has been out of the lineup since Thursday, which has raised some concerns about his health. On Sunday, Phillies manager Rob Thompson confirmed that Harper is dealing with minor back stiffness. The lefty slugger has been out since Thursday and will remain out until at least Tuesday. It's worth noting that the organization is not concerned about this being a long term issue. Thompson says that Harper should be back in the lineup by the end of the week. That being said, fantasy managers shouldn't be concerned about Harper's health heading into Opening Day.