Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Harper, Span out with flu-like symptoms

USA Today Sports Images
Bryce Harper is sitting out his first game of the season tonight.
MIAMI — Davey Johnson has been looking for ways to get his bench players more at-bats, but this wasn't what the Nationals manager had in mind.

With Bryce Harper and Denard Span each sidelined due to flu-like symptoms and Danny Espinosa still out with a bruised right hand, the Nationals are forced to start three backups in tonight's game against the Marlins, leaving Johnson with only two healthy players on his bench: pinch-hitter Chad Tracy and catcher Jhonatan Solano.

The Nationals are hopeful neither Harper nor Span is seriously ill, though each outfielder has been unable to keep food down since late last night. Span arrived at Marlins Park in mid-afternoon but was quickly sent back to the team hotel to rest. Harper arrived late, around 4:45 p.m., but did not take the field with his teammates for batting practice.

There's no telling at this point when either player will be ready to return to the lineup, but Johnson hopes they'll be back for Wednesday's series finale.

"I know it's been going around D.C., the same thing," Johnson said. "I hope it's just a 24-hour flu. But with some guys, it hangs on for two or three days."
Read more

8 comments:

Candide said...

I've always thought "flu-like symptoms" was a euphemism for "hung over."

But Harper and Span???

I may have to rethink that.

Wendell said...

I dislike the term "flu-like symptoms". Why not just say the flu. Nobody is going to sue for a misdiagnosis.

Joe Seamhead said...

Maybe Davey could activate Davey Johnson. I'd feel more comfortable with him then any of the bullpen guys.

JaneB said...

Yikes! Maybe this is what I had all weekend. I hope not. Mend well and everyone else use lots of antibacterial goop.

Steady Eddie said...

I love the end of Mark's article --
"Consensus opinion was that either Craig Stammen or Ryan Mattheus would be the best choice, though Drew Storen was trying to make a case for himself. None of the options sounded particularly appealing to Johnson.

"It was just a conversation that didn't bear a lot of fruit," the manager said."

Traveler8 said...

I get it. I just got a sore throat this afternoon. Ugh.

NatsLady said...

My Twitter timeline is filled with players who have this and are out for tonight (not just Nats).

Holden Baroque said...

If it is in fact the flu, I don't think antibacterial goop will help. We use too much of that stuff anyway.

Post a Comment