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SPORTS Monday 14 august 2017

Harper has bone bruise, Nats hopeful he’s back this season

By STEPHEN WHYNO candidate will be back be- ing an organization, you’d
AP Sports Writer fore the end of the season. be short-sighted you’d
WASHINGTON (AP) — “It was definitely a relief,” be short-sighted to think
When Bryce Harper writhed Harper said Sunday. “We’re about the 25 men on the
in pain on the field and going to take some time to major league roster,” Rizzo
clutched at his left knee definitely let it heal. I want said. “This is a 40-, 50-man
and then didn’t put weight to be at 100 percent when- operation and you have
on his left leg as he was ever I play. The World Series to rely on great scouting
helped off, the possibility is definitely on my mind, to bring the players and
of a career-altering injury playoffs, things like that.” great development to get
seemed realistic. Rizzo said the Nationals feel these guys ready to play at
Harper was definitely wor- they “dodged a bullet” but an optimal level in a pen-
ried. didn’t want to undersell the nant race for the Washing-
“Of course you’re going to significance of the bone ton Nationals, which is not
think the worst,” he said. bruise, which came when easy.”
“It’s definitely a bad feel- Harper hyperextended The injury to Harper opens
ing.” his knee slipping on a wet Washington Nationals’ Bryce Harper grabs his knee after he was up playing time in the out-
That bad feeling subsided base in the first inning of a injured running to first during the first inning of the team’s base- field but would present a
as Harper walked up the rain-delayed game against ball game against the San Francisco Giants, Saturday, Aug. 12, difficult challenge if he’s
2017, in Washington.
stairs from the dugout to the San Francisco Giants Associated Press not ready by the start of
the clubhouse, tested his on Saturday night. the postseason. The Na-
knee by jumping up and “The bone bruise, it’s real,” and 87 RBIs in 106 games and be healthy. That’s tionals don’t have another
down and then got the MRI Rizzo said. “It’s an injury, this season, and his pres- what we want.” Harper in the system, and
results that revealed what and we’re going to have ence in the lineup is cru- This fall is especially impor- neither does anyone else
the Washington Nation- to treat it accordingly.” cial to Washington playing tant considering Harper in baseball.
als hope is season-saving Rizzo said the conditions, deep into October. can be a free agent after “He’s definitely one of
news. General manager which included steady rain The Nationals running the 2018 season, crystalliz- those guys that you can’t
Mike Rizzo said Harper has during the play “aided” in away with the NL East gives ing Washington’s champi- replace on a team,” starter
a “significant” bone bruise the injury but didn’t blame them the luxury of playing onship window with Max Edwin Jackson said.
in his left knee but avoid- Major League Baseball it safe with Harper. Given Scherzer in his prime and Harper knows that and
ed the kind of ligament for going ahead with the injuries to Harper, Stephen a lineup built with power vowed not to play through
or tendon damage that game. Harper was upset Strasburg — who has a re- around the 29-year-old an injury — unless it’s the
would have put a pin in the about playing in the rain hab assignment Monday face of the franchise, Dan- playoffs. At that point, all
team’s World Series aspira- at 10 p.m. but called it a — and others, the Nation- iel Murphy, Trea Turner, An- bets are off.
tions. “freak accident.” als’ focus is getting healthy thony Rendon and Ryan “If I don’t feel good, then
There’s no definitive time- “I don’t like wet bases,” for the playoffs. Zimmerman. Even injuries I’m not going to go out
line for Harper to return, Harper said. “It’s just an “We don’t know how long to Strasburg, Turner, Jayson there and play,” Harper
but manager Dusty Baker unfortunate situation that he’s going to be out, but Werth and more haven’t said. “Of course if we were
referenced 10 days to two happened. There’s nothing he will be back before the hurt the Nationals yet be- in the playoffs right now
weeks. At the very least the I can do.” end of the season,” Baker cause of their organization- I’d tape it up and get out
Nationals are hopeful the Harper, the 2015 MVP, is hit- said. “We expect him to be al depth. there and hobble the best
star outfielder and NL MVP ting .326 with 29 home runs back for the stretch drive “When talking about build- I could and do that.”q