The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Harper suffers bone bruise
Nationals relieved outfielder should return this season.
When Bryce Harper couldn’t put any weight on his left leg as he was helped off the field Saturday night, the worst-case scenario certainly seemed realistic.
Harper walking up the stairs provided some hope, and an MRI revealed what the Washington Nationals hope is season-saving news. General manager Mike Rizzo said Harper has a “significant” bone bruise in his left knee but avoided the kind of ligament or tendon damage that would have put a pin in the team’s World Series aspirations.
“It was definitely a relief,” Harper said Sunday. “We’re going to take some time to definitely let it heal. I want to be at 100 percent whenever I play. The World Series is definitely on my mind, playoffs, things like that.”
There’s no definitive timeline for Harper to return, but Rizzo is hopeful the star outfielder and NL MVP candidate will be back before the end of the season.
Harper injured his knee when he slipped on a wet first base in the first inning of a rain-delayed game against the Giants.
The 2015 MVP is hitting .326 with 29 homers and 87 RBIs in 106 games this season.
■ Nationals outfielder Michael Taylor was activated from the 10-day DL after missing 29 games with a right oblique strain.
Rockies: All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado, the MLB leader in RBIs, left Sunday’s game at Miami after being hit on the left hand by an 88-mph fastball from Vance Worley. X-rays were negative, and the injury was diagnosed as a bruise. Arenado said he hopes to be sidelined for only a couple of days and avoid a stint on the disabled list.
■ Right-hander Chad Bettis will complete his comeback from chemotherapy for testicular cancer by starting tonight’s game in Denver against Atlanta. Bettis, 28, finished his last round of treatment in May.
Padres: Manager Andy Green received a three-year extension through 2021. Green, 40, is in the second year of his original contract with the Padres.
White Sox: Rookie third baseman Nicky Delmonico reached in his 12th straight game to begin his career, extending his team record. He also has a 10-game hitting streak.
Marlins: Giancarlo Stanton hit his 42nd homer to tie Gary Sheffield’s team season record set in 1996. It also was the 250th homer of Stanton’s career.
Brewers: Infielder Neil Walker, acquired from the Mets on Saturday for a player to be named, started at third base Sunday in place of the ailing Travis Shaw and went 2 for 4 with a run scored.
Dodgers: Second baseman Chase Utley was ejected in the ninth inning Saturday night by second base umpire Ramon De Jesus. Utley said he asked De Jesus to reposition himself and he refused. When De Jesus would not move, things became heated.
“Over the course of my career, it’s happened a few times where I get blocked out by the umpire and it turns out to be a tough play,” Utley said. “I wanted to try and avoid that. Most umpires oblige.”