By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
All eyes will be on Bryce Harper in the Philadelphia Phillies' (8-5-2) 16th spring training contest Saturday afternoon at Spectrum Field. As veteran right-handers Jake Arrieta and Matt Shoemaker square off, Harper will make his long-awaited Phillies debut as the starting designated hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays (7-6-1).
You guys ready? pic.twitter.com/D4raR9B8q7
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) March 9, 2019
A record, sellout crowd is expected at the Phillies' spring training venue to watch Harper, who will make one or two plate appearances, batting third ahead of first baseman Rhys Hoskins. Phillies Manager Gabe Kapler said he is "excited" to see Harper in his first game action with the club.
“Before anything else, we are fans of the sport and fans of talent," Kapler told MLB.com. "He’s been so focused in what appears to be low-pressure situations. There’s one other guy who I’ve seen take things so seriously, like a live batting practice session on a backfield against Minor League pitching, and that’s Clayton Kershaw."
Harper will be the Phillies' everyday right fielder come Opening Day on March 28; he is expected to make his first spring appearance at the position on Monday, home against the Tampa Bay Rays (1:05 p.m. EST, TV: NBCSP+). It is symbolic that Harper will debut as the DH; the National League is expected to eventually adopt the DH, which would allow Harper to assume the role during the latter portion of his 13-year contract.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Toronto Blue Jays (7-6-1) | Philadelphia Phillies (8-5-2) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Matt Shoemaker | RHP | Jake Arrieta | |
| (0-0, 5.79 ERA) | (0-0, 0.00 ERA) | |||
Shoemaker, 32, will make his third start of the spring, after allowing three runs (all earned ) on three hits, one walk and two home runs spanning 4 2/3 innings thus far. Shoemaker signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with Toronto on December 28, leaving the Los Angeles Angels, his only previous team, for parts of six seasons from 2013 to 2018. He led the American League in winning percentage in 2014 (.800), going 16-4 with a 3.04 ERA in 27 appearances and 20 starts.
Arrieta, who turned 33 on Wednesday, will make his second spring start. The right-hander tossed three scoreless frames, nine up and nine down, in his spring debut against the Minnesota Twins last Sunday. He struck out four batters.
Jake Arrieta is throwing from more of the three-quarters arm slot that he used in '15 & '16 with Cubs. He said he's been working to reestablish that arm action after unintentionally getting away from it last year. Easier, he says, to make that change in spring than during season.
— Scott Lauber (@ScottLauber) March 3, 2019
Early on, Arrieta is impressing in camp; he believes his "improved health" and "restored arm angle" will lead to a bounce-back season, reports Philly.com's Scott Lauber.
Starting Lineups:
| Toronto Blue Jays (7-6-1) | Philadelphia Phillies (8-5-2) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pos. | Player | Bats | Pos. | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | CF | Kevin Pillar | R | 1 | CF | Andrew McCutchen | R |
| 2 | 3B | Eric Sogard^ | L | 2 | SS | Jean Segura | R |
| 3 | LF | Teoscar Hernandez | R | 3 | DH | Bryce Harper | L |
| 4 | 1B | Justin Smoak | S | 4 | 1B | Rhys Hoskins | R |
| 5 | DH | Rowdy Tellez | L | 5 | C | J.T. Realmuto | R |
| 6 | RF | Anthony Alford | R | 6 | 2B | Scott Kingery | R |
| 7 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S | 7 | LF | Dylan Cozens | L |
| 8 | 2B | Richard Urena | S | 8 | 3B | Mitch Walding | L |
| 9 | C | Luke Maile | R | 9 | RF | Lane Adams^ | R |
^ non-roster invitee
Phillies Updates:
- OF Odubel Herrera (Grade 1 hamstring strain, flu-like symptoms) is expected to run on Saturday. Kapler expects Herrera to be in Opening Day lineup.
- 2B Cesar Hernandez (Grade 1 hip strain) took live batting practice on Friday against minor league pitching. Like Herrera, Hernandez is expected to be ready for Opening Day.
- OF Roman Quinn (strained right oblique) has been running, although his status for Opening Day "remains unclear."
- RHP Aaron Nola was named the Phillies' Opening Day starter.
- OF Aaron Altherr went 3-for-3 with a double and RBI in the Phillies' Friday evening loss against the Atlanta Braves at Walt Disney World. Overall this spring, Altherr is hitting .294 with five runs scored and three RBI. Catcher Andrew Knapp went 2-for-3 with a home run; he's hitting .250 this spring with two RBI. Right-handed starter Zach Eflin struck out three batters over 2 2/3 shutout innings, with one hit and two walks allowed
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 1:05 p.m.
- TV: NBCSP
- Radio: 94 WIP
The game will also be broadcast live on MLB.com via a simulcast of MLB Network's full-game coverage, according to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki.
What's Next:
- Sunday, March 10, 2019: at Baltimore Orioles, 1:05 p.m.
- Ed Smith Stadium (Sarasota)
- RHP Aaron Nola (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. LHP Josh Rogers (0-0, 1.29 ERA)
- TV: N/A; Radio: 94 WIP
