Nationals’ Harper out as precaution
Bryce Harper was out of the Nationals’ starting lineup Thursday night because he felt sore after returning this week from a knee injury that sidelined him for about a quarter of the season.
Washington manager Dusty Baker wanted to make one thing perfectly clear: “Don’t be alarmed,” he said.
Concern about right fielder Harper’s health is understandable, considering the 2015 NL MVP might be the key to Washington’s postseason success.
Baker said before the NL East champions beat Pittsburgh on Thursday that nothing new arose with Harper, who hyperextended his left knee during a game in August and missed 42 games.
“We decided it would be best to give him the day off,” Baker said, “and then he’ll try to play through the weekend.”
The Nationals close the regular season with three more against Pittsburgh.
Harper came off the disabled list Tuesday and played that day and Wednesday against the Phillies, going 1-for-6 with a walk.
“I’ve felt pretty good. Body feels good,” Harper said. “A little sore today (after) playing two in a row.”
Harper is batting .324 with a .418 on-base percentage in 408 at-bats this year. Despite missing so much time, he ranks second on the Nationals with 29 homers and fourth with 87 RBIs.
Marlins’ sale: Derek Jeter has about a 4 percent stake in the group buying the Miami Marlins and Basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan approximately half of one percent, part of a $1.2 billion purchase from Jeffrey Loria that includes $800 million in cash.
Bruce Sherman, who will become the controlling owner, has the highest equity stake in the group, about 46 percent according to details obtained by the Associated Press.
Jeter, the former New York Yankees captain who led the team to five World Series titles, will head the team’s baseball and business operations. The sale was approved by MLB owners Wednesday.
Rodon has surgery: Chicago White Sox starter Carlos Rodon had arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder and could miss the beginning of next season, as he should miss six to eight months.
In three seasons, Rodon, a 24year-old left-hander, is 20-21 with a 3.95 ERA.