Washington Nationals prospect Bryce Harper took a pitch off his left knee Sunday and the sight caused Nats powner Mark Lerner, who was in attendance, to cringe, reports Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post.
But it appears to be just a bruise despite it causing a high level of pain and forcing Harper to leave the game. The club will reexamine the knee Monday to make sure.
Harper is likely to move rather quickly through the minors and perhaps reach the majors as early as 2012, but injuries are the one way to derail such a timetable.
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It was a welcome sight for the Washington Nationals to see Ryan Zimmerman in the lineup Sunday, even if it was for the Double-A Hagerstown Suns.
The All-Star third baseman, limited to just eight games this season with a torn abdominal muscle, had a pair of hits as he began a rehab assignment.
Washington was hoping to have its 2009 Gold Glove Award winner back in mid-June, but Zimmerman said there is no concrete timetable. He admitted he was still "a little sore" and didn't want to rush things.
Jerry Hairston has received the bulk of the playing time at third base with Zimmerman sidelined.
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The Washington Nationals appeared to have made a costly mistake when they gave Jason Marquis a two-year, $15 million deal prior to the 2010 season. His first season in D.C. included an elbow injury, a 2-9 won-loss record and an inflated 6.60 ERA.
Marquis has turned things around this season (6-2, 3.84) and could be a trade target as the deadline approaches. Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe says the Nationals would make him available if they get good young talent back, and suggests a deal with the Red Sox for outfielder Josh Reddick.
Cafardo cautions that the Sox seem content right now going with Tim Wakefield as their fifth starter.
Finding a new homer for Marquis makes sense since there is little chance the Nats would bring him back at a comparable salary.
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Nothing we don't know...
