Nats' Harper still dealing with sore knee
Bryce Harper is still paying the price for slamming into the outfield wall at Dodger Stadium nearly two weeks ago.
The Washington Nationals right fielder left Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies in the seventh inning due to renewed pain in his left knee, and manager Davey Johnson said that Harper probably would sit out a few days.
Harper's knee, injured May 13 at Los Angeles, appeared to be bothering him throughout Sunday's game, a 6-1 Washington victory over Philadelphia. He slid hard into second and third in the first inning. After he walked in the seventh, Roger Bernadina pinch-ran for him.
Harper missed four starts during the week following his collision in Los Angeles, which occurred when he unsuccessfully attempted to catch a ball by A.J. Ellis that turned into a triple. He received stitches in his chin as a result of his face-plant, and he also emerged with soreness in his left rib cage, left shoulder and left knee.
Before Harper returned to action, the team determined he hadn't sustained a concussion.
The reigning National League Rookie of the Year, Harper went 1-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base Sunday. He's hitting .287 with a .387 on-base percentage, a .587 slugging percentage, 12 homers and 23 RBIs in 43 games.
