WASHINGTON — Bryce Harper came off the disabled list on Monday in time to start against the Colorado Rockies. That is the good news.
The challenging news for first-year manager Matt Williams may be how to manage egos and playing time as he makes out the starting lineup the rest of the season if all of his regulars stay healthy.
Since Harper was hurt in April, former third baseman Ryan Zimmerman returned from the DL June 3, and he has been playing left field most of the time. Harper was in left field in the starting lineup Monday and batting in the No. 6 hole with Zimmerman at third base. Anthony Rendon, who has been playing at third base since
Zimmerman got hurt, moved to second. Danny Espinosa, the regular second sacker, was sent to the bench. Zimmerman had three hits in the 7-3 win while Harper had one hit and scored a run and drove in a run.
Williams said Zimmerman could play in left field, at third base and at first base. That could mean that on any given night, a regular such as center fielder Denard Span, right fielder Jayson Werth and first baseman Adam LaRoche could get a night off.
“It’s going to be a daily thing,” Williams said of the starting lineup. “It depends on a lot of things. If I had a crystal ball, it would be great. But I don’t.”
Williams said this Nationals team reminded him of the 1997 Cleveland Indians team, of which he was a member. That team had strong players used mostly as reserves, such as rookie Richie Sexson and Brian Giles and Bip Roberts.
“He will handle it the best he can,” Span said of Williams. “He’s the boss.”