Mark Zuckerman of CSNWashington.com reports that Bryce Harper is back in the Nationals’ starting lineup for tonight’s series opener against the Padres, three days after he crashed into the right field wall at Dodger Stadium.
Harper returned to action last night as a pinch-hitter and grounded out in the ninth inning. The 20-year-old outfield said after the game that he was feeling “terrible,” but apparently he has made some progress overnight. Harper received 11 stitches on his chin as a result of crashing into the fence and is also nursing some soreness with his rib cage, knee and shoulder. While he was experiencing nausea this week, the Nationals say that he has passed two concussion tests.
Harper is batting .300/.397/.617 with 10 home runs and 21 RBI in 36 games this season. He ranks seventh in the majors with a 1.014 OPS.
