Times are tough for the Washington Nationals.
The Nationals are one game below .500 after high expectations coming into the season. They just put their ace, Stephen Strasburg, on the disabled list, and it looks like their other young star, Bryce Harper, may have to stay on the DL longer than expected.
Harper was supposed to come off the 15-day disabled list next Tuesday, but instead he will visit Dr. James Andrews to have his left knee looked at again Monday, Nationals manager Davey Johnson told reporters.
Harper is on the DL with left knee bursitis after barreling into the Dodger Stadium outfield wall May 13.
Johnson said Harper attempted to jog in a pool Thursday, but his knee started to swell. Despite Harper’s scheduled appointment with Andrews, Johnson says the injury is still bursitis and that surgery would be the last option.
Before Harper comes back to the big leagues, he will also have to play some rehab games.
“I’m not going to rush it. I’m going to take as much time as I can to get it right,” Harper said, according to The Associated Press. “I want to get back in this lineup 100 percent. I don’t want to get back in it 80 percent.”
Harper has a team-leading 12 home runs and a .287 batting average to go along with 23 RBIs.
