Bryce Harper is ‘pretty close’ to playing first base for the Phillies, manager Rob Thomson says

When the Phillies reconvened Friday from the All-Star break, one question hung like humidity in the midsummer air: How close is Bryce Harper to playing first base in a game?

”Pretty close,” manager Rob Thomson said.

It won’t be this weekend, even though Thomson did say before Friday night’s game that Harper “possibly” could debut at his new position during the four-game series with the Padres. Instead, the manager indicated that it could happen next week against the Brewers.

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Regardless, Harper is on final approach at first base eight months after an elbow ligament reconstruction on his throwing arm. He has been a designated hitter since his May 1 return to the lineup. Entering the weekend, he was batting .290/.386/.400 but hadn’t homered in 160 plate appearances, a career-long drought.

Harper began working out at first base in mid-April, an idea that the star right fielder came up with and discussed with team officials because of the instability at the position since Rhys Hoskins went down with a season-ending knee injury late in spring training.

After weeks of individualized workouts with infield coach Bobby Dickerson, Harper progressed to taking full-fledged infield practice two weeks ago and was cleared to throw to bases last week.

What’s left on the checklist before Harper gets in a game?

“I think that’s about it,” Thomson said.

Thomson noted that the Phillies will “ease” Harper into games at first base. He won’t play the position every day but instead will get recovery time in which he goes back to DHing.

When Harper plays first base, it will free up the DH spot for left fielder Kyle Schwarber, who is rated as the worst defender in baseball based on defensive runs saved. Brandon Marsh likely will move to left field, with newly recalled prospect Johan Rojas playing center.

The Phillies also are looking to add a righty-hitting outfielder before the Aug. 1 trade deadline.

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Club officials and teammates have been impressed by Harper’s workouts at first base. Thomson recently remarked to Harper that he may have the strongest arm of any first baseman in the league.

“You definitely have a lot of appreciation for what he’s going to do whenever he does step over there,” said Schwarber, who struggled in limited exposure to first base with the Red Sox in 2021. “It’s really cool to see it. We’ve got all the faith in the world in him. The guy’s an athlete. He’s not just a baseball player.”

Said Thomson: ”He can really throw. It’s remarkable, really, where he’s come in a short period of time.”

Harper said recently that he’s still regaining strength after being limited in his offseason workouts following the surgery. But Thomson is unconcerned that adding defense — at an unfamiliar position, no less — will affect Harper at the plate.

If anything, Thomson thinks playing defense may help Harper.

“I think he’s gotten used to the DH role, but a lot of players, when they’re playing defense, actually get better because they’re more engaged in the game,” Thomson said. “That may be the case with him.”

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Seranthony Domínguez faced hitters in live batting practice, the precursor to going on a minor league assignment. He hasn’t pitched since June 15 because of a strained oblique muscle in his left side.

Meanwhile, José Alvarado got a cortisone injection this week to treat the inflammation in his left elbow. The swelling “is out of there now,” according to Thomson, but the manager said it’s unclear when Alvarado will resume throwing.

“He’s feeling really good,” Thomson said.

Alvarado missed 32 days earlier in the season because of elbow inflammation, although he said the discomfort now is in a different location. Thomson said it’s too early to tell whether Alvarado will be sidelined for a similar duration this time.

Either way, Alvarado’s absence will push lefties Gregory Soto and Matt Strahm into even higher-leverage roles. Right-hander Yunior Marte took on Domínguez’s role and entered the weekend with a 1.86 ERA, 11 strikeouts, and only one walk in his last nine games.

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Top prospect Andrew Painter has not resumed throwing after being shut down last week with stiffness in his right elbow. “We’re still assessing everything,” Thomson said. Painter has not faced hitters since a March 1 spring-training game because of a sprained ulnar collateral ligament. ... The Phillies called up triple-A infielder Drew Ellis to replace utilityman Josh Harrison, who went on the injured list with a bruised right wrist. There’s no timeline for Harrison’s return, Thomson said. ... Rhys Hoskins, who shaved his beard but kept the mustache, jogged in the outfield for the first time but has a “long way to go,” according to Thomson, in his comeback from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Hoskins is out for the season. ... Ranger Suárez (2-4, 3.77 ERA) is scheduled to face the Padres’ lefty Blake Snell (6-7, 2.85) in the matinee Saturday. Taijuan Walker (10-3, 4.02) is slated to start the nightcap of the day-night doubleheader, with the Padres expected to call up left-hander Ryan Weathers (1-5, 6.08).