WASHINGTON (AP) - Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper will be out of the starting lineup with a left hand injury for Saturday’s game against the San Diego Padres, but available to pinch-hit.
Harper hurt his hand with a head-first slide into third base Friday night after hitting a bases-loaded triple in the third inning of Washington’s 11-1 victory. He stayed in the game for an inning before he was replaced.
Manager Matt Williams says Harper is available “off the bench for sure.” He says a hand specialist will look at Harper on Saturday.
“The early tests today are pretty good,” Williams said. “The X-rays are negative. There’s some swelling there. We just want to make sure we knock it out.”
Kevin Frandsen will take Harper’s place in left field on Saturday.
Harper went 2-for-2 and had had a career-high four RBIs on Friday night, giving him nine for the season as he lifted his batting average to .289. He has only one home run in 83 at-bats.
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