Slugger Could Be Without a Roster Spot Due to Bryce Harper

The Philadelphia Phillies turned to a familiar face when Rhys Hoskins tore his ACL last March. With Bryce Harper still sidelined while recovering from Tommy John, the Phillies needed someone to play first base and do so at a high level given the goals the team had.

In came Darick Hall, who made his debut with Philadelphia in 2022. The left-handed hitter had a decent showing in 2022, playing in 41 games and slashing .250/.282/.522 with nine home runs.

As a fill-in, Hall could've produced and filled the need until Harper could play first base.

However, Hall tore a ligament in his right thumb in the beginning of April and needed surgery. When he returned three months later, Harper was weeks away from playing first base with Alec Bohm. Harper would DH when he didn't play first with Kyle Schwarber. 

This left Hall without a spot and the same could happen this season.

When asked what the message was to Hall during Spring Training, Phillies manager Rob Thomson says he has to be himself, according to Paul Casella of MLB.com.

"Just be himself, and he's doing that," Thomson said. "Strange things happen."

The 28-year-old has 13 at-bats in Spring Training, currently 1-13 with a home run in five games. In 2023, Hall won a job. by slashing .316/.409/.632 with five home runs in 57 at-bats.

Harper was comfortable at first base and considering he's one of the best players in baseball, there isn't any reason to move him around. That's the reality of the situation for Hall, who could be left off the big league roster on Opening Day.