Bryce Harper wants to change the changes to the game.
The Phillies slugger, who returned this week after recovering from offseason Tommy John surgery, campaigned to the commissioner Rob Manfred’s office after MLB’s new pace of play rules put him in a dangerous spot.
Harper did not have enough time to put on his baserunning brace after reaching first in the ninth inning of Philadelphia’s 10-6 loss on Wednesday — even with teammate Nick Castellanos calling time in his follow-up at-bat.
“I mean, we talked all the way up to Mr. Manfred and they said we wouldn’t have more time to do that,” Harper said. “Pace of play thing, of course. It’s going to be tough in those situations, you have what, 22 seconds to get going? I hope some umpires have some feel about it. Some umpires usually do, so I appreciate that out of them. But we’ll see.
“I know they’re going to try to get me extra time but if they’re not, then I won’t be able to get it on and get it going.”
The 30-year-old came around to score, keeping his arm off the ground and avoiding injury, though he raised the issue to Manfred, who reportedly denied a request for more time.
MLB’s newly instituted rules dictate how much time batters and pitchers have between pitches in an effort to speed up the game.
Early returns have shown games being completed in faster times, though Phillies manager Rob Thompson, whose squad went 15-15 without Harper to open the season, has some reason for worry.
“He didn’t have time to get his guard on in the ninth inning and that scared me a little bit,” manager Rob Thomson said. “Really, they should amend the rule to a certain degree to have a superstar or anybody who has an issue with the guards or whatever, just give them extra time. Have a feel for it so they’re not going to injure them.”