Bryce Harper Injury: Updates on Nationals Star's Knee and Return

Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper left May 30's game against the Philadelphia Phillies after getting hit in the right knee by a Jeremy Hellickson pitch in the seventh inning. However, he's ready to return.

Continue for updates.

---

Harper Active vs. Reds

Friday, June 3

James Wagner of the Washington Post reported Harper will bat third and play right field Friday against Cincinnati. 

---

Harper Comments on Injury

Tuesday, May 31

"It hurts," Harper said, via Zuckerman. “Whenever you get squared up like that, [it was] definitely something that didn’t feel good. I think we’ll evaluate tomorrow and see how it feels."

---

Nationals Couldn't Afford To Lose Harper for Extended Period of Time

Heading into May 30's contest, Harper was hitting .245 with 13 home runs and 34 RBI while sporting a .416 OBP.

Harper is coming off his first MVP Award and is also a year removed from his healthiest professional season. He played 153 games in 2015 and set career highs with a .330/.460/.649 slash line, 42 home runs and 99 RBI. His individual success did not translate to team wins, though, as Washington finished a disappointing 83-79 despite having one of baseball's highest payrolls.  

"Last year's behind us. I mean, all of last year's behind us," Harper told reporters. "We were a losing team. I know we were above in the win column and loss column, but we still lost."

The Nationals can breathe a sigh of relief as their star has avoided a long-term injury that would likely have a major impact on their postseason hopes.