Saturday, June 22, 2013

Harper says Tuesday is unrealistic

 Photo by USA Today
A day after Davey Johnson projected Tuesday as Bryce Harper’s target date for a rehab assignment, the Nats outfielder said that may be wishful thinking. 

Harper himself doesn’t expect to play until Wednesday or Thursday and hopes to have as many as six or seven minor league games before he is brought back up to join the Nationals.

Tuesday, that’s kind of early,” Harper said. “I’m thinking Wednesday or Thursday maybe. I’m not sure. We’ll see how I feel. If I feel good, then I’ll go play. If I feel something isn’t right, then I’m not going to go play. It depends on how I’m feeling.”

Johnson said on Friday he didn’t think Harper would need a lot of time in the minors, maybe three games or so. Harper would like to be there longer.

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11 comments:

NatsLady said...

I'm all for caution, but I hope the Kid hasn't lost confidence in his body. I expect if he has it will come back when he gets on the field, though.

Unknown said...

Hold him out until after All-Star weekend?

Jane Elizabeth said...

This is turning out to be a worse fiasco than the RGIII/Shananhan dance....

Whack-a-Mule said...

Mule had been musing on the possibility of converting Haren to a middle/long reliever, since he usually lasts 3 or 4 innings before losing focus and location (resulting in his surrendering 3-5 runs).

Today, this does not seem to be such a good idea.

Top 1st resembled B-P more than an MLB start.
Perhaps we can overcome such a deficit in the 9 innings remaining, but our recent form suggests this contest has been decided prior to the Nats' first at-bat.
Oh, dear.

Dr Trea (formerly #werthquake) said...

And the nightmare saga continues!

JaneB said...

If The Kid thinks he's not ready, I'm believing him. He wants to play. Davey's itching for him back in the lineup, as are we all.

TexNat said...

Really starting to wonder if they shouldn't have just had the surgery done a few weeks ago. Looks like he might not be back until after the ASG anyways.

Anonymous said...

I said this a while back, but who is running this team, the grown-ups or the 20-year olds? That is NOT a knock at Harper who just said the most sensible thing of anyone in connection with this whole fiasco.

Why are they rushing him so badly after being so cautious with Stras last year? Desperation? If they push him back on the field too early and he gets injured again their chances this season will be DONE.

natsfan1a said...

Hoo boy. I'm with JaneB on this one.

D'Gourds said...

if he's brought up early to the nats, could it be worse than lombo/benadina in left? I'm not worried about harper's confidence. his knee, on the other hand....i am worried about. if it's truly pain free and without swelling, get him back in the lineup. what's the difference about the physical stress of playing minor league vs major league ball? if anything the fields are so much better in the bigs, the risk of injury diminishes.

SonnyG10 said...

I don't know on this one. Depends if Harper's reluctance is based on being worried about his batting average or whether its pain related. We've waited this long so a few more days won't hurt.

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