Story by
Phillies Must Decide on Bryce Harper's Position After Adolis Garcia's Surgery
- Story by
- Phillies Must Decide on Bryce Harper's Position After Adolis Garcia's Surgery
The Philadelphia Phillies ' offseason experiment of signing outfielder Adolis Garcia has officially come to an end. Garcia was signed to a one-year, $10 million contract this past offseason to become a reliable outfield option who could insert power into Philadelphia's lineup.
Not only did he fail to do that, but he was a liability across 67 games with the franchise. He posted a .195 batting average, .270 on-base percentage, .599 OPS, seven home runs and 21 RBIs, striking out 84 times in just 259 plate appearances.
Advertisement
Now, his season is coming to an end without a chance for him to turn it around. Philadelphia announced Thursday that Garcia had undergone right latissimus dorsi repair surgery, and with a projected timeline of six to eight months, he will miss the rest of the 2026 season.
With Garcia's season over, the lack of production in the outfield leaves the Phillies facing a Bryce Harper decision. Philadelphia's biggest area of need is now in the outfield, which may push them to consider moving Harper back to the grass.
Advertisement
Harper moved to first base in 2023. Before then, he had always played in right field, which the Phillies have a vacated spot for. The reason he moved was to protect his right throwing arm after Tommy John surgery and to fill the vacated spot at first base the Phillies had at the time.
Now, though, the vacated spot is in the outfield instead of first base. Kyle Schwarber has been practicing first base and even drew a start there over Harper this week, so if Harper moves back to the outfield, Schwarber could fill the first base void.
Philadelphia Phillies infielder Bryce Harper (3)© Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
It also opens up Philadelphia's options if Harper moves back. They would not be forced to only trade for an impact bat in the outfield and could actually acquire a player at any position.
Advertisement
With the new alignment of Harper and Schwarber on the field, the vacant spot is now at designated hitter . Adding Harper back to the outfield would also make that group not look like a liability.
Harper has still been an elite presence this year at the plate, posting a .251 batting average, .362 on-base percentage, .844 OPS, 15 home runs and 40 RBIs across 74 games.
Harper may need some time before he is comfortable out there again, but it would be a possibility the Phillies have to consider as they search for the best alignment moving forward.
Advertisement
Related: Phillies' Bryce Harper Reveals Latest Off-Field Move
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jun 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
