Phillies' Kyle Schwarber Announces Reason for Career Decision

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Phillies' Kyle Schwarber Announces Reason for Career Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated Jul 10, 2026 5:20 PM ET

Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber has remained one of the most dangerous hitters in the National League. After a career-best season in 2025, the 33-year-old left-handed slugger has arguably been even better this year.

That is a promising development for the Phillies front office considering they paid him a hefty contract this past winter, a five-year, $150 million deal to keep him in Philadelphia.

Across 90 games, Schwarber has posted a .254 batting average, .369 on-base percentage, .940 OPS, an MLB-best 32 home runs and 58 RBIs.

His production has helped the Phillies get right back into the race for first place in the NL East, entering Friday sitting just three games behind the Atlanta Braves.

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All eyes will be on Citizens Bank Park next week with the All-Star break being held in Philadelphia this year.

Fortunately for Phillies fans, they will be able to head to their home ballpark to see some familiar faces for all the events. That includes the Home Run Derby, as not only has Schwarber committed to compete but so has first baseman Bryce Harper.

Schwarber's participation was confirmed Friday, one day after Harper's, and it makes sense that one of the league's best power hitters is competing.

However, that was not always going to be the case. Schwarber had previously not committed because of recurring lower back tightness he had been playing through. He announced that the reason he decided to suit up was because most of the discomfort has subsided (Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic).

Kyle Schwarber said he was waiting to get through the Cincinnati series to make sure everything was good health-wise. Everything is trending the right way, he said, so he will compete in the derby.

Assistant hitting coach Rafael Peña will throw to him.
— Charlotte Varnes (@charlottevarnes) July 10, 2026

Schwarber also added that assistant hitting coach Rafael Pena will be throwing to him. He has never won a Home Run Derby before, though he has come close finishing as a runner-up to Harper back in 2018 when he was on the Chicago Cubs.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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