Report: Bryce Harper has been playing through shoulder injury for months

Reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper is batting a putrid .134/.259/.209 since the All-Star break, and now we may know the reason why.

According to a report by Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated on Friday, the Washington Nationals outfielder has been playing through a right shoulder injury for the last two months.

The injury is said be affecting “the area at the top and back of his shoulder and at the base of his neck.” Harper has reportedly been receiving treatment, including cupping therapy (sound familiar?) and Active Release Technique.

This rough stretch over the last couple of months has brought Harper’s batting average down to just .233 on the year. He has also mustered only 20 home runs, less than half the total he hit in his MVP-winning 2015 campaign.

Washington has managed just fine despite Harper’s recent struggles, leading the NL East by a comfortable 7.5 games over the Miami Marlins at the moment. But come the postseason when it’s all hands on deck, having their best player ailing could be a death blow for their World Series aspirations.

H/T Rotoworld