Analysis: After the Nationals lifted a dominant MacKenzie Gore on Opening Day, Harper greeted right-hander Lucas Sims with a solo shot to put the Phillies on the board in the seventh inning. It was Harper's first long ball of 2025, including spring training, as the superstar slugger went without a homer in the Grapefruit League but did hit a strong 12-for-41 (.293) with four RBI this spring.

Analysis: Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic reported this week that Harper told the Phillies over the offseason he would be open to shifting to the outfield if the club could acquire a marquee first baseman. That never came close to happening, but the offer remains on the table should an opportunity present itself. Harper has turned himself into an excellent defensive first baseman and will, in all likelihood, remain at that position over the long haul, but having the flexibility and willingness to move back to right field could come in handy, both for the Phillies and for anyone with fantasy shares in the 32-year-old star.