Harper to debut at first base vs. Brewers

PHILADELPHIA – Bryce Harper will make his debut at first base during the Milwaukee series that starts Tuesday, Phillies manager Rob Thomson confirmed Sunday.

It’s the next step in Harper’s return from Tommy John surgery on his right (throwing) arm last offseason. He returned on May 2 as a designated hitter, but being able to play the field will open more opportunities for lineup flexibility for Thomson.

Thomson didn’t declare which game it will be but that, “I think it’s going to be in the Milwaukee series.” The Phillies have an off day Monday before the Brewers arrive. (Julio Teheran is the only named probable starter of the series, in Tuesday’s opener. Harper has a career .404 average with nine homers in 47 at-bats against him.)

Thomson was close to using Harper at some point in the fourgame set with San Diego, but the chaos of the series, with rain possible for Sunday and a Saturday doubleheader, led him to hold off.

“I really was thinking about it,” Thomson said. “But as we got into the weekend, with the four games in 48 hours and the heat, I wanted to make sure I got guys in the game but also off their feet, so they could get back in the swing of things after the all-star break.”

Harper has hit .295 with four homers and 25 RBIs in 59 games since his return. He homered Saturday to end a career-long stretch of 38 games and 166 plate appearances without a long ball. The two-time National League MVP has never played the infield at the major league level.

Thomson didn’t rule out the possibility of Harper returning to right field at some point this season, though that won’t be any time soon.

He’ll continue to work on his throwing regimen before games, and the club still wants him extend his throwing distance before a move to right.

“I think it’s time,” Thomson said. “It’s more length and intensity.”