Phillies star Bryce Harper doesn’t expect to play baseball in 2027

Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper indicated on social media that he does not expect to play baseball during the 2027 season. Responding to a TikTok comment suggesting March through October felt like his offseason, the two-time NL MVP stated, "It will be this year." Harper's remarks arrive ahead of the December 1 expiration of Major League Baseball's collective bargaining agreement, with an impending lockout widely anticipated across the sport.

The looming labor dispute centers on team owners pushing for a $245.3 million salary cap and a $171.2 million floor, which the MLBPA firmly opposes. Harper has been a vocal critic of salary caps during negotiations. His comments follow the Phillies' elimination by the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the Wild Card Series, concluding a regular season where Harper hit 29 home runs with 87 RBIs.