Phillies Make Bryce Harper Change Trea Turner Decision

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Phillies Make Bryce Harper Change Trea Turner Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Xavier Constantino | Last updated Jul 8, 2026 4:35 PM ET

Bryce Harper is seeing a change on Wednesday as he will be leading off for the Philadelphia Phillies, with Trea Turner out of the lineup against the Cincinnati Reds.

Edmundo Sosa will get the start at shortstop in Turner’s place. Turner has been one of the majors' hottest hitters over his last 10 games, batting .306 with three home runs, nine RBIs and an .871 OPS, making Wednesday’s decision look like a scheduled rest day as the Phillies face right-hander Chase Burns.

The shuffle also stacks the top of Philadelphia’s order with left-handed bats against Reds right-hander Chase Burns, who enters at 10-1 with 116 strikeouts. Harper, Kyle Schwarber , Brandon Marsh and Bryson Stott will hit in four of the first five spots, all batting left-handed.

Midweek matchup#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/VcnivpjaML
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 8, 2026

Harper hitting ahead of Schwarber changes how Burns approaches the game, since a runner reaching base ahead of Schwarber makes it harder to pitch carefully around him without the safety net of an empty base.

Harper enters Wednesday batting .266 with 20 home runs and 57 RBI and one of two Phillies to earn a spot on the National League All-Star squad alongside Schwarber this year.

The Phillies improved to 51-41 after Tuesday night’s win over the Reds, placing them two games behind the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves. Philadelphia and Cincinnati close out the series on Thursday night.

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (3) Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Overall, the decision to move Harper to leadoff could mean nothing more than the Phillies trying to ambush a successful right-hander in Burns, with Turner's day off nothing more than a one-game blip rather than the start of anything bigger.

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

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