Right fielder Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals was back in the lineup on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, two days after sustaining a mild strain to his left hamstring.
Harper received treatment on Friday and Saturday morning before manager Matt Williams wrote him into the cleanup spot against the Pirates.
“I’ve played through pain the past two years sometimes,” Harper said. “It feels OK, but just trying to get in there and play for the team.”
Said Williams: “If we see anything that tells us he his gimpy or not feeling well, then we’ll get him out. But he wants to play. He feels good enough to play.
Harper, who is batting .344 with 22 home runs and 53 RBIs, slipped on damp grass in the sixth inning making a throw on Thursday night and gingerly walked off the field.
The Nationals certainly can use him, having lost 14 of their last 21 games.
Williams also said that right-hander Stephen Stasburg (neck tightness) might return to the Nationals rotation this week after throwing a bullpen session on Saturday.