{"id":23055,"date":"2023-03-29T04:57:22","date_gmt":"2023-03-29T04:57:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2023\/03\/29\/phillies-star-bryce-harper-reveals-how-long-he-wants-to-play\/"},"modified":"2023-03-29T04:57:22","modified_gmt":"2023-03-29T04:57:22","slug":"phillies-star-bryce-harper-reveals-how-long-he-wants-to-play","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2023\/03\/29\/phillies-star-bryce-harper-reveals-how-long-he-wants-to-play\/","title":{"rendered":"Phillies star Bryce Harper reveals how long he wants to play"},"content":{"rendered":"

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In an interview<\/a> with Matt Gelb of The Athletic published Tuesday, Phillies star Bryce Harper<\/a> said he wants to play until he is 45. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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If Harper — who turned 30 last October — hopes to achieve this goal, staying healthy throughout his 30s will be important.<\/p>\n

Since signing with the Phillies in 2019, Harper has suffered two long-term injuries — an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery during the 2022 offseason and a broken hand after he was hit by a pitch by San Diego’s Blake Snell last June.<\/p>\n

Playing past 40 in the majors is not unusual. Nelson Cruz, who signed a one-year contract with the Padres this offseason, is entering his age-42 season. He probably will serve as a designated hitter this year.<\/p>\n

Per MLB.com<\/a>, the oldest current player in the majors is Pirates pitcher Rich Hill, who’s 43.<\/p>\n

Harper\u2019s 13-year contract with the Phillies will expire after his age-38 season, setting him up for free agency at 39. The two-time MVP has made it clear he does not want to play for another team besides Philadelphia.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Phillies have not had a player older than 38 on their roster since the 2017 season when 39-year-old relief pitcher Joaqu\u00edn Benoit appeared in 41 games.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n