Bryce Harper has not played since injuring his knee on Aug. 12, and there has been very little information about his timetable for a return. However, the Nationals are optimistic he will be ready for the playoffs.
Washington GM Mike Rizzo talked on Sirius/XM MLB Network Radio Friday about Harper’s progress and availability.
“(Harper) has been doing some baseball activities,” Rizzo said. “He is progressing at a cautious pace. We are optimistic that he will be here for playoff baseball, and we’re moving towards those ends. He really lengthens the lineup and is a impact guy in the middle that everybody that we play has to account for. He makes it easier for everybody around him.”
Well all the praise about Harper is nothing new — everyone knows he’s an MVP candidate when in the lineup. But the question is all about his availability.
The good news is Harper began doing some light running this week, so it makes sense that the team would have optimism about his availability for the postseason.
Harper is batting .326/.419/.614 this season with 27 doubles and 29 home runs. There is no question that the Nationals need his bat in October.
