The Washington Nationals have placed their popular outfielder Bryce Harper on the 15-day disabled list on Sunday for a sprained thumb. During Friday's game against the San Diego Padres, Harper injured his thumb.
The injury happened after sliding head-first into third base after hitting a triple in the third inning of the game on Friday. He was able to play another inning before he having to come out, reports ESPN. The triple came in a big spot for the Nationals with the bases loaded and it helped them pick up an 11-1 victory in the game.
Harper is disappointed and frustrated with the injury, but is optimistic that it is not a serious injury and that after a couple weeks of relaxing and icing down his thumb, he will be ready to return to the Nationals lineup. He received an MRI on Saturday and is heading to Cleveland this Monday to see Dr. Thomas Graham, a very prominent hand specialist for a second opinion on his thumb according to The Washington Post.
Fifteen days on the disabled list is not very long, but Harper is hoping that the time goes by quickly and then he can come back 100% healthy and ready to help his team make a run at the Atlanta Braves. Harper’s batting average for this season is .289 and he has one home run on the season along with nine RBIs.
Harper is joining fellow teammates Ryan Zimmerman and Wilson Ramos on the disabled list, and with several off days for the team in the next couple weeks, Harper is hoping that at most he will only be missing 10 games for the season.