Washington Nationals star Bryce Harper exited against the San Francisco Giants on Saturday due to a stiff neck and remains without an exact timetable for his return.
Continue for updates.
Harper Out vs. Giants
Sunday, Aug. 7
MLB.com’s Jamal Collier noted that Harper would not play against the Giants on Sunday.
Harper Comments on Injury
Sunday, Aug. 7
“It just didn’t feel very good. It got a little tense in there. I needed a break real quick,” Harper said on Saturday, per the Washington Post‘s Chelsea Janes. Harper continued:
“Our trainer got out there and gave me a second. Just definitely didn’t feel right.” …
“I think it’s an all-around thing,” said Harper, asked when he feels the trouble most.” Just coming in here today, I tried to free it up a little bit more. It didn’t happen very much, but I felt good enough to go. Unfortunately, I want to be in that lineup every night. It was just tough right there.”
Baker Comments on Harper’s Injury
Sunday, Aug. 7
“Anybody who has ever had a stiff neck, I mean, you know you’re not yourself,” Nationals manager Dusty Baker said on Saturday, per Janes.
Nationals Need Harper Healthy for World Series Push
Losing Harper for a significant amount of time would be a devastating blow for the Nationals’ playoff hopes, as he is the anchor in the middle of the lineup who is expected to carry the offense on a nightly basis. Thankfully, it appears this is a minor injury.
Thus far, Harper is hitting .233 with 20 home runs and 57 RBI in 2016.
The right fielder was the 2015 National League MVP behind a .330 batting average, a 1.109 OPS, 42 home runs, 99 RBI, 38 doubles and 124 walks. He appeared in 153 games, which was the first time he had played in more than 139 contests in a season in his career.
Harper was also the 2012 National League Rookie of the Year and is a three-time All-Star.
Washington will turn to Chris Heisey to fill the void in right field until Harper returns, according to Rotoworld. Heisey did hint at his overall ceiling in 2011, when he hit 18 home runs for the Cincinnati Reds.
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