The Fan Hub

At 41 years old, many thought that Jim Thome’s days at first base were behind him. For the past six years he has been a full-time designated hitter in the American League (less a 17-game stint with the Dodgers at the end of 2009), first with the White Sox, then the Twins, and then the Indians. But now, after signing a free agent deal to return to the “Philadelphia Phillies”: — with whom he played three seasons from 2003-05 — Thome could actually see some time at first base for the first time in five years while “Ryan Howard”: works his way back onto the field after rupturing his Achilles tendon on the Phils’ final play of 2011.

Obviously the amount that Thome will be asked to play in the field will depend a lot on how quickly Howard can get back on the field, and even until he does, the recently-signed Ty Wigginton will see the bulk of the time at first. Yet the Phillies are hoping that Thome can play first base once or twice a week as an increase in action from his primary duties as a pinch hitter, and Thome is doing what he can to prepare for it. For a 41 year-old who has experienced many back problems over the course of his career, that means a lot of low-impact exercises designed to strengthen his core muscles, i.e. yoga, pilates, and swimming.