Phillies First Baseman Bryce Harper Comments on Former Teammate Rhys Hoskins

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper said he thinks about former teammate Rhys Hoskins often and feels bad about the team's decision not to re-sign him after a knee injury. Harper made the comments to The Philadelphia Inquirer's Scott Lauber while Hoskins, now with the Cleveland Guardians, faced the Phillies.

Harper said Hoskins is one of his favorite teammates and noted that learning to play first base may have contributed to the decision not to bring Hoskins back.

The Phillies parted ways with manager Rob Thomson earlier this season and named Don Mattingly interim manager. The team had previously fired Joe Girardi and replaced him with Thomson. The Phillies also declined to re-sign Hoskins, whom they drafted in 2014 and who played first base for six seasons before the injury. Harper moved to first base after Hoskins left.

Harper told 94 WIP Radio earlier this year that a reunion with Hoskins does not fit the team's needs at designated hitter, first base, and outfield. 361 for the Guardians this season. Harper said he would be willing to move back to the outfield for an impactful addition but indicated that bringing Hoskins back is not under consideration at this time.