Don Mattingly reveals new Kyle Schwarber-Bryce Harper plan for Phillies 2027 season

The Philadelphia Phillies are already looking at ways to keep their veteran stars fresher throughout the 2027 MLB season, and new manager Don Mattingly has a plan involving Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper. The idea would give both players more opportunities to rest while creating additional flexibility for Philadelphia’s lineup. Schwarber could see considerably more time at first base, allowing Harper to move into the designated hitter spot more frequently. It is a strategy that could benefit multiple players over the course of a long season. MORE: MLB umpires sue league in dispute over millions of dollars Kyle Schwarber could play 25-35 games at first base The Phillies are considering using Schwarber at first base approximately 25-35 times during the 2027 season. That would represent a significant increase in his defensive workload and give Philadelphia another way to manage Harper’s playing time. Schwarber has primarily served as the team’s designated hitter, but moving him into the field would allow Harper to take over at DH on those occasions. Harper played every game during the 2026 season, and getting him off his feet more often is an important objective for the Phillies. Philadelphia president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski previously discussed budgeting for approximately 30 games at first base for Schwarber. The plan is part of a broader effort to keep the team’s veteran players fresher as they get older. There is also the possibility that Harper could spend some time in the outfield with Schwarber playing first base. That would create even more options for Mattingly when putting together his daily lineup. MORE: Predicting MLB free agent landing spots in 2026-27 offseason Phillies could have considerably more lineup flexibility The biggest benefit of the plan is that it would give Mattingly more ways to manage his everyday players without necessarily taking their bats out of the lineup. If Schwarber plays first base and Harper moves to the outfield, the designated hitter spot becomes available for another player. That could allow someone else in the lineup to receive a half-day off while still contributing offensively. Rather than giving a player a complete day off, Mattingly could rotate players through the DH position and provide additional rest when needed. Over a 162-game MLB season, those opportunities could become valuable, particularly for a veteran roster with several important contributors. The Phillies have made it clear that keeping their veteran players healthy and productive is a priority heading into 2027. Finding different ways to use Schwarber, Harper and the DH position could be an important part of that approach. If the plan works as intended, Philadelphia could have a more flexible lineup while giving two of its biggest stars opportunities to stay fresher throughout the season. —  Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter  —