“I feel like it’s been good,” Harper said, according to MLB.com. “I feel good. I’ve just got to keep plugging away and keep having good at-bats.”

Harper went 3-for-4 with two doubles, three RBIs, and a walk. He started with a two-out double in the first inning, scored on a double off the right-field wall in the fifth, and tied the game with a two-run single in the seventh. This helped Philadelphia win their first series-opening game in San Francisco since 2014.

Harper’s approach at the plate

Harper began the season slowly, batting just .139 in his first nine games. Manager Rob Thomson said the team never doubted him. “I don’t think he really worries about that. He knows he’s going to hit. We know he’s going to hit,” Thomson said.

Philadelphia has also made small roster moves to reinforce depth early in the season, as the Phillies added Sergio Alcantara for infield depth after he became available

Monday was Harper’s first three-hit game since last August and his first three-RBI game since then. He also showed better discipline at the plate, seeing six pitches outside the strike zone without swinging at any.

Comfort at Oracle Park and team context

Harper has struggled at Oracle Park in the past, hitting just .182 with a .610 OPS in his first 37 games there. But in his last two visits, he’s gone 7-for-10 with five doubles and a home run. “Every time I come here, I feel very confident in my ability to play well,” Harper said.

Rookie Andrew Painter kept the Phillies in the game despite giving up four runs in four innings. Harper’s timely hitting made the difference, helping Philadelphia overcome early pitching struggles and proving he’s still one of baseball’s top hitters.

“Whenever you get down 2-0 it’s tough, but I thought Mac threw the ball great. He’s a special talent. He’s going to be a special talent for a long time. We’ve got a lot of great young guys in there that are going to play again on this team,” the Phillies star said.

Mark DeRosa’s squad came up just short in a 3–2 defeat against its opponent, narrowly missing the opportunity to secure a second title in the tournament.

McLean’s performance in the final

In the WBC 2026, Nolan McLean delivered a strong performance, pitching 4.2 innings and allowing only 2 runs on 4 hits.

He showed great control with 4 strikeouts and just one walk, leaving the game with the score tied before Venezuela eventually secured the victory.

For its part, Bryce Harper proved why he is the veteran leader of this squad, going 2-for-4. His most critical contribution came in the 6th inning when he launched a clutch solo home run to tie the game at 2-2, providing the emotional spark Team USA needed on the world’s biggest stage.

Team USA’s young talent

Led by rising stars like Nolan McLean and Roman Anthony, Team USA’s future looks incredibly bright. Alongside established young talents such as Bobby Witt Jr. and Paul Skenes, these players represent a new generation of versatile, high-velocity athletes ready to reclaim international dominance for the United States.

Looking ahead to what’s next

Looking ahead, Team USA faces two major challenges on the international stage. First is the highly anticipated return of baseball to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where they will compete for gold as the host nation.

Following that, focus shifts to the 2030 World Baseball Classic, as the tournament officially moves to a four-year cycle, cementing its status as the premier global showcase for the sport.

Harper disclosed that he nearly signed with the San Francisco Giants before ultimately joining the Phillies. “It was pretty close,” Harper said during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, speaking ahead of the World Baseball Classic.

Back when Harper was considered a rising star with the Washington Nationals, his career trajectory could have taken a different turn if he had opted for the Giants, despite not having won a title with Philadelphia yet.

Years after choosing the Phillies and now heading into the World Baseball Classic, Harper reflects on that significant decision in his career. With the tournament on the horizon, Harper and Team USA are eager to make a substantial impact.

Harper’s insight on playing with Judge

In addition to discussing his past career choices between the Phillies and Giants, Harper was also asked about playing alongside his teammates, particularly Aaron Judge, who will captain Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.

“Schwarber is the glue guy, and I’m thrilled to be on the field with Aaron Judge. We’ve got such a fantastic group of guys, and it’s going to be a lot of fun,” Harper expressed regarding playing with Judge in the upcoming tournament.

With the team’s morale high, Harper stands out as one of the key players that Team USA hope will make a significant impact in their quest to bring the title back to North America.

In an interview on Abriendo Sports, a popular Dominican YouTube show, Segura shared a candid account of a confrontation with Harper, who once evicted him from the clubhouse. “He straight up told me to shut up. Harper came over and said, ‘Get the f*** out of here, you’re not the only one in the clubhouse.’ Man, I just left. I was on FaceTime with Carlos Santana and some guys from Cleveland,” Segura recounted.

Segura further explained Harper’s frustration during those loud FaceTime calls. “When we hop on those calls, yeah, we get a little loud. Dominicans are loud, we got to keep it real. But he hit me with that line, the clubhouse isn’t just yours,” noted Segura.

This incident stands out in Segura’s tenure with the Phillies, despite his strong performances over four seasons. It remains a memorable chapter of his MLB career, highlighting the challenges of clubhouse dynamics.

Segura’s response to his clash with Harper

Harper’s fierce passion for baseball and his leadership style are well known. It’s this unwavering intensity that has solidified his role with the Phillies. Despite early-season tensions ahead of the upcoming season with figures like Dave Dombrowski, Harper’s commitment to the team’s excellence is clear.

Reflecting on the incident, Segura expressed a mature perspective. “I told myself, swallow my pride and my manhood, and I grabbed my phone and speaker and stepped out. They just gave him a $330 million deal. What was I gonna do, start something?” Segura expressed.

Another memorable encounter between Harper and Segura

Beyond this encounter, Harper and Segura shared another noteworthy incident that drew media attention, involving then-manager Joe Girardi. After a series of defensive errors by Segura, including a misplayed ball in a pivotal inning, tensions flared.

Back in the dugout, Girardi’s pointed remarks toward Segura incited a heated reaction. It required coach Dusty Wathan to intervene, while Harper played peacemaker, stepping in to diffuse the situation and refocus the team.

Despite the awards and recognition, Harper continues to push himself to perform at the highest level and improve year after year, amid recent reports that Harper asked Dave Dombrowski to explore bringing back a former Phillies player.

According to The Athletic’s Matt Gelb, Harper made it clear that his mindset has not changed. “I still have a lot to prove to myself,” Harper said. “That’s my inner monologue. I put a lot of pressure on myself. I just always have.”

Focused on long-term excellence

Harper explained that his goal is to continue playing at an elite level for as long as possible. “That I could play this game at a high level for a long time — for the next whatever years I’m going to play,” he said. “There’s so much wellness and stuff in the world nowadays, and I feel like it can get me to that point.”

What it means for Philadelphia in 2026

For the Phillies, Harper’s mindset is encouraging. Having a franchise leader who still feels driven to prove himself sets the tone for the clubhouse. As Philadelphia looks to remain competitive in the National League, Harper’s hunger for improvement could once again play a central role in the team’s success.

Long-term deals handed out in recent seasons continue to define the financial landscape. From franchise cornerstones to high-profile free-agent signings, the top salaries reflect both ambition and urgency in a competitive National League.

In a market that demands October baseball, spending is rarely quiet. The Phillies’ highest-paid players in 2026 offer a snapshot of strategy, risk and star power—all tied to the pressure that comes with a heavyweight MLB payroll.

Who are the highest-paid Phillies in 2026?

As the 2026 season shapes up, the Philadelphia Phillies carry one of the heftier payrolls and a handful of star contracts dominate the ledger. According to Spotrac and payroll trackers, Zack Wheeler sits atop the list with a $42 million salary.

This makes him not just the Phillies’ highest-paid player but one of baseball’s most compensated starters this year. Behind his earnings are the bats and gloves that have defined the Phillies’ identity in recent seasons.

Wheels turn to Kyle Schwarber, whose new long-term contract pays him about $30 million in 2026 as one of the game’s premier designated hitters. Not far behind are middle infield dynamo Trea Turner with $27.2 million and perennial face of the franchise Bryce Harper with $25.3 million.

Rounding out the top five is veteran right-hander Aaron Nola, whose $24-plus million salary reflects a long-term commitment from Philadelphia to its rotation alongside Wheeler. Together, these contracts illustrate where they placed their financial chips.

“Phillies prospect Aidan Miller has a sore back. Phillies want to be careful with him so he’s taking it easy this week, getting treatment. If he was healthy, he would’ve played yesterday in Dunedin,” wrote Todd Zolecki on X (@toddzolecki) regarding the situation.

Miller played 108 games last season, marking the second-heaviest workload of his minor league career to date. He totaled 105 hits, 13 home runs and posted a .259 batting average, making it a highly productive year overall.

Harper said it — but not the full story

It was Harper who first referenced Miller’s injury earlier in the day, surprising many Phillies fans who were unaware of the situation. At the time, few details were available. However, once manager Rob Thomson clarified the matter shortly afterward, it became clear that information had already been shared internally.

“I need him to get healthy, because he could help us by the end, obviously,” Harper said during a media session with NBC Sports Philadelphia. Harper also took the opportunity to call Team USA’s victory over Canada in the Olympic gold medal hockey game “amazing.”

“Aidan Miller increased his stock as much as any prospect in the second half of the season. He improved just about every aspect of his game. Miller was one of the most productive minor league hitters after the break while looking comfortably above average at shortstop,” wrote Aram Leighton, co-founder of Just Baseball.

Philadelphia lost several key contributors, including Ranger Suarez, Harrison Bader, and Nick Castellanos, though they added Adolis Garcia, a two-time All-Star. Still, a right-handed-hitting outfielder remained on the Phillies’ radar as a potential upgrade for their lineup.

Bleacher Report’s Zachary Rymer identified Randal Grichuk of the Kansas City Royals as a “best fit” for Philadelphia. “He had a rough one in 2025, with his OPS falling 201 points from where it had been in 2024. Yet his exit velocity and hard-hit rate actually went up, and he still had his longstanding knack for pulling the ball in the air. Those strengths would play nicely at Citizens Bank Park, where Grichuk would supplant Johan Rojas as the primary platoon partner for Brandon Marsh and Justin Crawford,” Rymer wrote.

Could Grichuk provide the Phillies with veteran outfield depth?

Though 34 and coming off a challenging season, Grichuk remains capable of contributing. In 2024, he slashed .291/.348/.528 with 12 home runs and 46 RBIs, showing that his ability to hit for power and drive the ball remains intact. Philadelphia could benefit from his experience and right-handed bat in a platoon setup.

Will the move help the Phillies contend in 2026?

Adding Grichuk would provide the Phillies with flexibility and additional firepower in their lineup, particularly at Citizens Bank Park. His presence could complement existing stars and stabilize the outfield rotation as the team looks to improve on last year’s postseason run.

The report from Devan Kaney on X (@devan_kaney) read: “Sources tell me Bryce Harper has been advocating for more right handed power and someone who could give the Phillies more emotional edge/swagger. I’m told Harper suggested Dave Dombrowski look into a reunion with Rhys Hoskins who remains a free agent.”

Hoskins began his MLB career with the Phillies in 2017 and played alongside Harper through 2022. He missed all of 2023 due to injury and spent 2024 and 2025 with the Brewers, hitting .237 in his most recent season.

Dombrowski didn’t see Hoskins as a fit

Kaney notes that while Hoskins wanted to return to Philadelphia after two good years with Milwaukee to “finish the job,” Harper’s suggestion didn’t carry weight because Dombrowski had the final call.

“I’m told Hoskins is game to come back and finish the job with the Phillies. Dombrowski kicked tires on a potential reunion before ultimately deciding Hoskins is not a fit, according to sources,” Kaney wrote regarding the former Phillies first baseman.

The specific reasons why Dombrowski saw Hoskins as not a fit for the Phillies aren’t clear, but he wasn’t a cheap option either, last season, Hoskins earned $17 million, the final payment on his two-year deal with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Also making waves within the Phillies organization is veteran pitcher Aaron Nola, who’s spent his entire career with Philadelphia and is entering his 12th year with the team. When asked about his aspirations for the season, he made a bold proclamation about the Phillies’ World Series ambitions.

“We have the team to go back to the World Series. That’s our goal. We all believe that we can win one. We all love each other. It’s a really close clubhouse, so with this group, it would definitely be special,” Nola told the media before the spring training games.

With this positive atmosphere and the anticipation surrounding the organization during the offseason, manager Rob Thomson and his crew are ready to go all out this season, aiming to compete in the World Series and secure another title for Philadelphia.

Nola’s projected stats for the upcoming season

The Phillies are counting on players like Nola to deliver impressive stats in the regular season, as Philadelphia is urged to rely on him as rotation faces early-season uncertainty. According to projections from Baseball Reference for the 2026 MLB season, Nola is expected to record the following statistics:

• W/L: 8-8
• ERA: 4.54
• Saves: 1
• Innings Pitched: 127.0
• Hits: 124
• Runs: 68
• ER: 64
• HR: 20
• BB: 37
• SO: 125

Phillies’ projected pitching rotation with Nola

Nola is expected to feature prominently in the Phillies’ lineup for the upcoming season, including Opening Day. However, he may be sidelined for that game. Here is the projected rotation for the Phillies in the first game of the season:

1. Cristopher Sanchez (LHP)
2. Jesus Luzardo (LHP)
3. Aaron Nola (RHP)
4. Taijuan Walker (RHP)
5. Andrew Painter (RHP)

Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies and Manny Machado of the San Diego Padres both weighed in on the Dodgers’ approach, offering compliments on their spending habits. While some may view such praise as validation, Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes had a different perspective.

Asked about the comments, Gomes was direct. “We’re not looking externally for validation. The validation is winning championships and putting out as good a team as we can each and every year,” he told reporters. “All we’re trying to do is get a little bit better each season, with the goal of winning championships.”

How Dodgers balance spending and success

Gomes credited the organization’s ownership for giving the front office flexibility to improve the roster each offseason. “We’ve always [been] in the position to address the needs that will help us go out and win another championship,” he said. “We’ve been fortunate to acquire guys that fit that really well.”

Meanwhile, pitchers and players continue preparations for the season. Roki Sasaki threw live batting practice Sunday, testing a new cutter-slider combination under the guidance of Dodgers coaches. Gomes expressed confidence in the young pitcher’s development. “He’s fully capable of it… All of the stuff we’ve seen so far, he’s looked really, really good,” Gomes said.

Injury updates as camp opens

Just before camp, the Dodgers re-signed Kiké Hernández and Evan Phillips, both recovering from elbow injuries. Gomes provided updates on their progress. “Kiké’s progressing well… He should start swinging here pretty soon,” he noted. Regarding Phillips, “It all depends on how the build-up goes… but he’s feeling really good. Throwing looks great. Body looks great.”