Phillies Shift Harper to Right Field After Acquiring Luis Arraez

The Philadelphia Phillies moved Bryce Harper from first base to right field to accommodate the recent trade for second baseman Luis Arraez. Interim manager Don Mattingly said Harper’s willingness to change positions was essential for the deal. The adjustment also prompted Bryson Stott to shift from second to third base and Alec Bohm to move from third to first.

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The Arraez trade, completed on Monday, sent the three-time batting champion and defensive specialist from the San Francisco Giants to Philadelphia, along with right-handed reliever Caleb Kilian. In return, the Phillies received top pitching prospect Ramon Marquez and reliever Marty Gair. Arraez, who is eligible for free agency after the season, had previously played second base for the Giants and first base for the San Diego Padres in 2024-2025, but he has expressed a desire to remain at second. The same day the Phillies also acquired left-handed reliever Brooks Raley from the New York Mets for minor-league pitcher Luke Gabrysh and outfielder John Spikerman.

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• Bryce Harper – moves to right field (first base since returning from Tommy John surgery in 2023).

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• Bryson Stott – shifts from second to third base.

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• Alec Bohm – moves from third to first base.

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• Luis Arraez – becomes the Phillies’ everyday second baseman.

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The roster reconfiguration aims to field the “best offensive lineup” as the Phillies sit at 59-53, holding a National League wild-card spot and trailing the Atlanta Braves by eight games in the NL East. By keeping Harper in the lineup while adding Arraez’s high-average bat, the team signals a commitment to remain competitive through the season’s final stretch and to pursue a World Series berth in October.

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• “Without putting too much pressure on him, he's kind of like the modern-day Tony Gwynn or Wade Boggs,” — Don Mattingly, interim manager — Don Mattingly, interim manager

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