As the Philadelphia Phillies opened their 2026 spring training, first baseman Bryce Harper expressed continued mystification over comments made by team president Dave Dombrowski about his 2025 performance. Harper described the public remarks as 'kind of wild' and contrary to the organization's in-house policy. Despite acknowledging his down year, Harper emphasized that such statements do not motivate him.
Nearly four months after the Philadelphia Phillies' elimination by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2025 National League Division Series, first baseman Bryce Harper addressed remarks made by president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski during an October end-of-season press conference. Speaking to reporters on Sunday at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Florida, Harper said the comments questioning whether he could return to 'elite' status remain puzzling to him.
"I don't get motivated by that kind of stuff," Harper stated. "For me, it was kind of wild the whole situation of that happening. I think the big thing for me was, when we first met with this organization, it was, 'Hey, you know, we're always going to keep things in-house, and we expect you to do the same.' And so, you know, when that didn't happen, kind of took me for a run a little bit. ... For Dave to come out and say those things, it's kind of wild to me, still."
Dombrowski had described Harper as "still a quality player" and "All-Star-caliber," but noted, "He didn't have an elite season like he has had in the past. ... When you think of Bryce Harper, you think of elite, right? You think of one of the top 10 players in baseball, and I don't think it fit into that category. But again, a very good player."
In 2025, Harper batted .261 with 27 home runs, 75 RBIs, and an .844 OPS, his lowest OPS since 2016 and lowest OPS+ (129) since 2019. He missed nearly a month due to right wrist inflammation and saw pitches in the strike zone only 43 percent of the time during the regular season, the fewest among qualified players. Harper acknowledged his numbers fell short of expectations and that he did not have the postseason he desired.
Despite the tension, Harper, who is under contract through 2031, reported entering spring training healthy, with no wrist pain since June in Pittsburgh. He mentioned adopting new health regimens, including blood treatments and red-light therapies, for overall longevity. Harper also expressed excitement about representing Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic alongside players like Aaron Judge and Alex Bregman, before returning to the Phillies.
"I feel like I'm pretty excited to play," Harper said. "Obviously, I love playing this game. I love being part of the culture and the group of Philly baseball."
