The Nationals had some good news even though they are dealing with bad news. General manager Mike Rizzo told reporters that Harper has a significant Bone Bruise, but no ligament damage. Harper sustained the injury after slipping on a rain soaked base during Saturday's game.
Better news than the alternative
The alternative news could have been a torn ACL, and the cost of the rest of the regular season. Harper was a MVP candidate for the year after batting .326 with 29 home runs and 87 runs batted in. The Nationals have a 14 1/2 game lead which makes it easier to coast towards the playoffs, but the timetable for Harper's return is unknown.
A torn ACL would have impacted Harper's 2018 season, which is more good news for Washington. Harper has a chance to return this year, which the Nationals need in order to try and make a run at the World Series. Harper told ESPN that his injury just needs to heal, but it could have been a lot worse. However, he said that it was a huge relief that there was no ligament damage.
Manager Dusty Baker said that he did not know when Harper will return, but he will return this season. Rizzo put the situation in best of terms by saying the Nationals "dodged a bullet" when the team found out Harper had no ligament damage. Harper wants to heal, so that he can be 100-percent when he returns and help the Nationals make a run at the World Series.
Harper joins long list of injured Nationals
Injuries have been rough for Washington even though the team has had success. The team lost Adam Eaton and Trea Turner to season ending injuries. Jayson Werth has been out with a foot contusion, and Michael Taylor has been out with an oblique injury. Stephen Strasburg has been on the DL since July 24th.
Harper adds to a list of potential impact players.
Moving forward
The Nationals have the rotation and the lineup to hold the division lead while Werth, and Harper are out. The Nationals just need to keep playing steady baseball because once their team returns to full strength, they could make a legitimate run in the playoffs.
Max Scherzer could win the Cy Young and MVP award the way that he is playing.
Gio Gonzalez has an earned run average under three. With Strasburg coming back, the Nationals have a three headed monster in their rotation. The outfield looks average for now. The Nationals have Brian Goodwin, Howie Kendrick, and Adam Lind holding the fort down. When all said and done, the Nationals are just happy Harper can return this year.
