For the fifth straight game, Bryce Harper is not in the Nationals lineup. Asked why the Nationals have not yet put Harper on the disabled list, General Manager Mike Rizzo gave a simple answer:“Because if he can play tonight I want him to play tonight. If he can play tomorrow I want him to play tomorrow,” Rizzo said. Rizzo said Harper had an MRI exam Saturday that revealed no major issues, another reason to believe the trouble is not necessarily anything more than initial diagnoses indicated. He has not taken an at-bat since last Saturday, though Baker said earlier this week he would not worry about putting Harper right back in the lineup just because of that layoff.

Source: Washington Post August 13, 2016 22:10 UTC