CLEARWATER, Fla. — Bryce Harper sat beside some coaches on the first-base side of Robin Roberts Field, decked out in full Phillies uniform at the minor-league Carpenter Complex. By the time the action wrapped up, it was just about a half hour away from the first pitch of Philadelphia’s final Grapefruit League exhibition of the spring on Monday. But Harper, who batted third and started at first base, didn’t want to miss the crucial development that took place behind the scenes.
Harper, along with several teammates and multiple key figures in the Phillies organization, gathered to watch Zack Wheeler throw a two-inning simulated game, his first since he was sidelined due to thoracic outlet syndrome last summer.