WASHINGTON (AP) - Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper was set to begin a rehabilitation assignment Tuesday night as he recovers from left knee bursitis that has sidelined him for nearly a month.
Manager Davey Johnson said that Harper, who hasn’t played since May 26, likely won’t rejoin the Nationals this weekend when they travel to New York. Harper was scheduled to start the assignment at Single-A Potomac.
“I doubt if he’ll be able to make it that quick,” Johnson said, pointing to a series starting Monday in Washington against Milwaukee for Harper’s likely return. “He’ll probably do three or four innings tonight, and then, if there’s no problem, gradually up it.”
Outfielder Jayson Werth, who left Sunday’s game with a strained left groin, was in the Nationals’ starting lineup Tuesday against Arizona.
The Nationals also placed pitcher Dan Haren on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Sunday, with right shoulder inflammation. They also recalled first baseman-outfielder Tyler Moore from Triple-A Syracuse.
Haren underwent an MRI exam Monday, which he said revealed no structural damage, and he received a cortisone shot.
“There’s nothing surprising definitely,” Haren said. “Obviously, there was a little bit of inflammation and stuff in there. I don’t know if that’s normal wear and tear, or maybe a little bit more than normal. I got a shot, which is the best way to take out all the stiffness and any inflammation that’s in there.”
The 32-year-old right-hander said he could begin throwing again as early as Wednesday. Signed to one-year, $13 million contract in the offseason, Haren is 4-9 with a 6.15 ERA in 15 starts. On Saturday, he lasted just 3 1/3 innings, surrendering six runs on seven hits in a 7-1 loss to Colorado.
Moore is batting .158 with five doubles, two home runs, 13 RBIs, and seven runs scored in 38 games this season with the Nationals.
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