The Latest Breaking News from Rob Thomson

PHILADELPHIA — In the sixth inning of a tie game Wednesday night, Bryce Harper stepped to the plate against a lefty sidearmer and saw six pitches. Three were down the middle, none was faster than 90 mph.

After not playing defense in a big league game since April 16, 2022 in Miami, Bryce Harper will start at first base during the Phillies’ home series against the Brewers this week. Manager Rob Thomson declined to specify which game would be Harper’s first at the position, but it will…

He’s expected to play first base sometime this week.

Also: Guardians star Jose Ramirez weighs in on the White Sox, and the Phillies’ Nick Castellanos gets real about his time with the Cubs.

MIAMI — There was a time, shortly after Cristian Pache was acquired, when his at-bats would bring a sense of dread. Some fans suggested that a pitcher would have a better chance of getting a hit. The thought of manager Rob Thomson pinch-hitting that version of Pache was unfathomable.

MIAMI — Phillies top pitching prospect Andrew Painter has been feeling “elbow discomfort” and underwent testing, manager Rob Thomson said Friday. Thomson declined to specify what kind of testing.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — After the 2019 season, when the Tampa Bay Rays were unable to find a 40-man roster spot for Cristopher Sánchez, the Phillies liked him enough to work out a trade.

PHILADELPHIA — Before the Phillies took the field on Saturday afternoon, Rob Thomson was asked why his team has struggled to hit with runners in scoring position.

CHICAGO — Although Rob Thomson will manage the National League All-Stars, he won’t have a say over which players are on the team. A few years ago, MLB changed the selection process, taking it out of the All-Star managers’ hands.

CHICAGO — Last week, Rob Thomson said the Phillies planned to turn center field into “more of a platoon.” But they faced a righty starter in six consecutive games since then, so the manager kept writing Brandon Marsh’s name in the lineup.

OAKLAND, Calif. — A few weeks ago, after slogging through seven games in Atlanta and New York and winning only twice, several of the more prominent Phillies players vowed they were better than they looked against their chief division rivals.