Spring Training Notes: Harper won’t report until March, Phillies to retire postseason anthem

Phillies manager Rob Thomson told reporters in Clearwater that Bryce Harper won’t report to camp until the first or second week of March.

All position players are required to report for the first full squad workout on Tuesday, Feb. 21, but it appears Harper prefers to rehab away from the facility for the time being. If the goal is to keep his progression under wraps, then it might be a smart strategy.

If you recall, Harper largely dictated the direction of his rehab as he worked his way back from a broken thumb during the summer of 2022. Star players like Harper typically have more autonomy when it comes to their own recovery and it appears the Phillies are letting Harper call the shots again.

The Phillies are sticking to the conservative recovery timeline of just over seven months or “before the All-Star Break” in July. The team also expects Harper to start swinging a bat sometime in March.

Phillies say goodbye to “Dancing On My Own”

There’s a good chance Game 3 of the World Series was the last time you’ll hear Calum Scott & Tiësto’s cover of Robyn’s “Dancing On My Own” at Citizens Bank Park.

According to MLB.com‘s Todd Zolecki, the Phillies plan on finding a new anthem in 2023.

“It’s a second-place song,” Kyle Schwarber told Zolecki. “It’s done.”

J.T. Realmuto hopes that something else will catch on.

“That one took us all the way to the World Series. It’s a yearly thing. New year, new team. We’ve got a lot of new faces. New song. I don’t know who’s in charge of the songs this year. It’s definitely not going to be me, but somehow organically a song will come up,” he said.

Phillies Notes

• Thomson said Thursday that reliever Gregory Soto is not in camp due to visa issues. Soto, who was acquired in a trade with the Detroit Tigers this offseason, is just 20 minutes away from the Phillies’ facility in the Dominican Republic, so he’s able to get some work in as he waits to get back stateside.
• Non-roster invitee Jon Duplantier is dealing with a hamstring injury and is the only player in camp currently behind schedule.
• Andrew Painter drew a crowd during a bullpen session on Thursday:

❗️ Scrolling checkpoint ❗️

Stop and listen to the sweet, sweet sounds of Phillies' prospect Andrew Painter pitching. 😍 pic.twitter.com/jP07YRcJHt

— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) February 17, 2023

• Here is Trea Turner smashing someone’s car window in batting practice:

“I got $30 million reasons why he’ll pay for that!”

Trea Turner's first batting practice with Philly is definitely one to remember. 😂 pic.twitter.com/cuyk0WDogU

— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) February 16, 2023

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