Harper wants MLB at Olympics, says WBC 'not the same'

Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper is hoping Major League Baseball players will be able to participate in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

"I would love to be part of that," Harper said Saturday, according to The Athletic's Roshane Thomas. "We have the WBC (World Baseball Classic), but it's not the same. People can say as much as they want, but the Olympics is so worldwide. The WBC is great and brings a lot of people together, but the Olympics is something you dream about playing in. If I have a chance to put my nation's colors on and represent as I did at 18 and 16, then I would love it."

MLB players have yet to take part in the Olympics. Currently, only amateurs and professional players not on a 40-man roster are allowed to participate in the Olympics.

There was a report in February that MLB owners are becoming increasingly supportive of players participating in 2028, with the tournament able to be largely scheduled around the time the league takes its annual All-Star break.

Harper said baseball should be looking at how other sports have used exposure at the Olympics to increase interest.

"Not having baseball in the Olympics is really tough," Harper said. "I love hockey, and it's one of my favorite sports to watch, and seeing that in the Olympics is one of the coolest things ever. They take that three-week break and let those guys go and go play. That's another big goal we should have in Major League Baseball."

Harper was scheduled to represent the United States at the 2023 World Baseball Classic but was forced to withdraw due to injury.