District Daily: Harper’s Thumb Responds Well After BP, Ramos Set for Rehab Assignment
By Pablo Roa
May 6, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder
Bryce Harper(34) stands in the dugout during the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Nationals Park. Los Angeles Dodgers defeated Washington Nationals 8-3. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Start off your weekend with some great Washington Nationals articles from around the web:
Harper’s thumb responds well after BP, field work
WASHINGTON — Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper (torn left thumb ligament) took live batting practice and caught fly balls for the second straight day Friday.
Harper started his fielding practice in right field while making throws to the infield before moving to left. Team ambassador Livan Hernandezpitched the batting-practice session.
Manager Matt Williams said Harper’s thumb was “a little bit tender” after taking batting practice on the field Thursday for the first time since his injury in April. However, Williams said the tenderness was on the back of the thumb, and not on the side where the surgery was performed. Read full article here.
Why can’t the Washington Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves?
(Neil Greenberg, Washington Post)
…I would look at why the Nats can’t put any runs on the board. In the seven games against Atlanta this season, starting with Thursday night’s loss and working backward, the Nats have scored 0, 2, 3, 6, 2, 2 and 1 run. The one game where they put six runs on the board ended up as a 7-6 loss in the 10th inning.
Of the 11 at-bats against Atlanta with runners in scoring position that ended in grounders, five were hit to the shortstop by five Washington batters: Adam LaRoche, Anthony Rendon, Denard Span, Ian Desmond and Ryan Zimmerman. But Washington has had a challenge putting the ball in play against the Braves in these situations all season long. Read full article here.
Ramos set to begin rehab assignment
WASHINGTON — Wilson Ramos(strained hamstring) left the Nationals’ clubhouse Friday night with his bags packed for a four-game rehab assignment.
The catcher said he will be playing for Double-A Harrisburg on Saturday and Sunday before joining Class A Potomac for games on Monday and Tuesday. Read full article here.