Harper returns from DL for Nats
All-Star outfielder missed 42 games with knee injury.
The Washington Nationals activated Bryce Harper from the 10-day disabled list after the outfielder missed 42 games with a knee injury.
Harper started in right field and batted second in Tuesday night’s game against the Phillies in Philadelphia.
“He’s like a kid on the first day of Little League today,” Washington manager Dusty Baker said. “He’s excited. We’re excited. We’re just going to be a conscience for him on when he has had enough or needs more.”
The five-time All-Star and 2015 NL MVP hyperextended his left knee while falling over first base during a rainy game on Aug. 12.
The Nationals will open a best-of-five Division Series at home on Oct. 6.
Dodgers: Outfielder Yasiel Puig arrived late to the ballpark Monday and was benched by manager Dave Roberts. Puig was not in the lineup Sunday, either, after a baserunning blunder the previous day. Roberts stopped short of saying Puig got punished Sunday, but made it clear the 26-year-old Cuban slugger was being disciplined Monday before the NL West champions hosted San Diego. “No one player can be bigger than the team,” Roberts said before the Dodgers’ 9-3 victory. “The priority has got to be for all of us. For me, that was a decision that he made, not me.” Roberts said Puig would return to the lineup Tuesday night.
Angels: Mike Trout hit his 30th homer Monday, joining Alex Rodriguez, Jimmie Foxx, Jose Canseco and Joe DiMaggio as the only players in AL history to reach 30 homers four times before their age-26 season.
Diamondbacks: Manager Torey Lovullo said ace Zack Greinke will not start tonight as Arizona lines him up to pitch the wild-card game on Oct. 4. The wild-card game sold out in an hour after tickets went on sale Monday.
Yankees: Center fielder Aaron Hicks (left oblique) returned from the disabled list Tuesday and robbed Tampa Bay’s Wilson Ramos of a first-inning grand slam.
Giants: San Francisco plans to expand the protective netting behind home plate going into next year. The Mariners, Reds, Rockies and Padres announced last week that they would expand netting for the 2018 season after a young girl was injured by a foul ball at Yankee Stadium.