With the Los Angeles Dodgers on a season-high four-game losing streak entering play Thursday, the Washington Nationals have gained some ground in the standings yet still remain 10.5 games back for the best record in baseball. The Nationals have forged ahead in the absence of Bryce Harper.
The National League MVP candidate was placed on the disabled list Aug. 13 with a hyperextended left knee. He sustained the injury while attempting to leg out an infield single against the San Francisco Giants.
Harper’s knee buckled as he slipped on the wet base and was flung forward by his momentum. That an MRI only revealed a bone bruise and not torn ligaments was a sigh of relief for Harper and the Nationals.
Though, the organization conceded they weren’t certain of a timetable for Harper’s return, and that still remains the case as Nationals manager Dusty Baker said he’s not yet running, via Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com:
“(Harper) is a long ways from running, which is playing the outfield, running the bases,” manager Dusty Baker said. “I don’t know if he’s supposed to hit on it or not. I hate the thought of him not being around, but you’ve got to make those plans, whether you like it or not. Before we holler doomsday, we’ve got a month to go, and then we’ll see.”
In addition to the bone bruise in his knee, multiple reports indicated Harper revealed he’s dealing with a left calf strain as well.
Further complicating matters is the Minor League regular season winding to a close within the next 10 days. Like any player who’s missed an extended period of time, Harper will need some form of a rehab assignment prior to coming off the disabled list.
The 24-year-old is batting .326/.419/.614 with 27 doubles, 29 home runs, 87 RBI, a .425 wOBA and 162 wRC+ this season. While they face an uphill battle to take claim of the top NL record, the Nationals will have an opportunity to further cut into the Dodgers’ lead during a three-game series from Sept. 15-17.
Two of those contests will be nationally televised, including the finale as part of ESPN Sunday Night Baseball. The NL East leaders took two of three games at Dodger Stadium in June.
As it currently stands, the Dodgers and Nationals would not meet in the playoffs unless both teams advanced to the NL Championship Series. Los Angeles eliminated Washington last year in five games in the NL Division Series.
