Philadelphia Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly seemingly revealed that slugger Kyle Schwarber will compete in the 2026 Home Run Derby when discussing Bryce Harper’s participation in the event.<\/p>\n
“I’m glad he’s doing it, especially in Philly. Him and Kyle both, right?” Mattingly said when speaking to reporters on Thursday.<\/p>\n
“Not sure on Kyle yet? Okay, I thought Kyle was going to do it,” he added. “Maybe he’s waiting to make sure everything’s good.”<\/p>\n
Schwarber hasn’t been part of the Home Run Derby since 2022.<\/p>\n
He was also noncommittal regarding his participation in the 2026 event on Monday.<\/p>\n
“I’m sure they’ll want an answer from me here in the next day or so,” Schwarber said, per\u00a0Scott Lauber<\/a>\u00a0of the\u00a0Philadelphia Inquirer. “I just want to make sure I’m not putting myself in a risky position.”<\/p>\n “You want to feel comfortable that you’re going to be able to do it,” he added.<\/p>\n While Schwarber has appeared in 90 of Philadelphia’s first 94 games this season, he’s been dealing with\u00a0back tightness<\/a>.<\/p>\n Considering the Phillies own a 52-42 record and are battling for positioning in the National League East standings, it’s understandable that the four-time All-Star was taking a cautious approach with his health in order to help his squad get ready for a postseason push.<\/p>\n Schwarber might be making his return to the Home Run Derby, though.<\/p>\n