Bryce Harper said he texted Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski on Sunday night, reaffirming his interest in moving to the outfield. Megan Briggs / Getty ImagesAug. 3, 2026 Updated 3:48 pm EDTThe Phillies will move forward with Alec Bohm at first base, Luis Arraez at second and Bryson Stott at third, interim manager Don Mattingly confirmed Monday hours after the team acquired Arraez in a trade with the San Francisco Giants.Mattingly said he spoke with Bryce Harper ahead of the trade deadline to ensure that Harper was serious about returning to right field. Harper confirmed he was. Stott and Bohm were made aware of their position changes via text on Monday, Mattingly said, before the Phillies game against the Washington Nationals.Harper said he texted Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski on Sunday night, reaffirming his interest in moving to the outfield.“I’ve said (I’d move) in years past,” Harper said. “I know everybody thinks it’s crap when I say it, but it’s not. Any chance that we have an opportunity to win — I’d do anything for this organization, and they know that.”Harper last played the outfield in 2022, before he underwent Tommy John surgery and moved to first base full-time upon his return in 2023. Mattingly said they would likely need to ease Harper in given how long it’s been since he played right field. It seems the Phillies are still figuring out exactly what that will look like, though Harper said he expects to start in right field on Tuesday — the day Arraez will report and the Phillies’ defensive alignment will shift.The Phillies expect their other deadline acquisitions — relievers Brooks Raley and Caleb Kilian — to also report Tuesday.Mattingly is particularly excited to see Arraez slot into the lineup.“Without putting too much pressure on him,” Mattingly said, “he’s kind of like a modern day Tony Gwynn, Wade Boggs. The guy just hits, always hits, (wins) batting titles and just continues to do it.”This story will be updated. Aug 3, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms