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| Associated Press |
After playing the last two nights for Class A Potomac, Harper is scheduled to play nine innings tonight for Class AA Harrisburg, which is in nearby Bowie for the weekend. He would then sit out Friday before returning to Bowie on Saturday.
"I'd like to see him go nine innings, then probably take tomorrow off, then go back and play again," manager Davey Johnson said. "Just make sure everything's normal and stays calmed down."
Harper got five plate appearances over the last two nights at Potomac, going 2-for-4 with a homer, a double, a walk and a strikeout. He played three innings in left field on Tuesday but was relegated to DH duties Wednesday night due to the threat of rain.
The possibility of more precipitation tonight was a factor in the Nationals' decision to bump Harper up to Class AA, with the conditions in Bowie better than in Woodbridge.
"Hopefully the field is not going to be damp," Johnson said. "I don't know what kind of field is at Bowie, but Potomac's is right at the bottom of a hill, and that field can retain water. Ideally, we'd like him to run around for eight or nine innings, see how the knee reacts to that."
If everything goes according to plan, Harper (out since May 27 with bursitis in his left knee) will be on track to return from the DL on Monday when the Nationals open a homestand against the Brewers.
Meanwhile, though the club won't make an official announcement until it has to, Johnson all but confirmed right-hander Taylor Jordan will be promoted from Harrisburg to start Saturday in New York.
The 24-year-old pitching prospect, currently 7-0 with an 0.83 ERA at Class AA, apparently has already been notified of his pending call-up and will make his big-league debut against the Mets at Citi Field, barring a rainout or some other unforeseen event.
"I'm sure the young man knows he's coming up here," Johnson said with a smirk.
14 comments:
Really glad to hear they're taking their time with Harper, making sure he's truly healed.
Boooooo. I have front row tickets for PNats tonight.
What Eric said. Also, I'll always treasure my Bryce bobblehead, but it would have been even more awesome had he been running, with his helmet flying off, as pictured. :-)
If the P-Nats don't get a new staduimm up soon, they might find all their customers just going to see the Loudoun Hounds instead in 2014 (http://www.loudounhounds.com/).
Great idea 1a. And if they could somehow get the helmet to be suspended in mid-air, even better!
Imagine the excitement at Nats Park on Monday, especially if the Nats have won six straight by then...
Just be sure not to display that Bryce bobblehead near any walls. They should have put that warning on the box, but they forgot.
I'm feeling upeat. I read down tonight's lineup and [almost] wonder: "Where's Bryce gonna hit?"
Why all of the drama about not announcing Jordan?
Love it, that Jordan will be the pitcher. Liked him forever. (well, at least since he was drafted). Very curious how he will handle the pressure of his first major league start.
Of course, I am assuming he will actually be the pitcher chosen.
Perhaps they have not announced Jordan because of the possibililty (even likelihood) of at least one rainout today or tomorrow, in which case he would not be needed Saturday?
I read that Davey said the kid (Taylor) has been told that he will be called up Saturday. I think it was the Washington Times where I read it.
Taylor started the final exhibition game at Nats Park against the Yankees. So, he has already gotten his feet wet, so to speak.
Monday Mondays, so good to me.
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