Washington Nationals: Bryce Harper will improve

The Washington Nationals slugger has struggled returning from injury. Bryce Harper could use more time to recover, but the playoffs await.

As expected, Bryce Harper’s return to the Washington Nationals has been slow.

A flu bug and a lack of timing held his slash line to .071/.133/.071 upon his return from knee injury. Toss in his hitting into three double plays and it is clear Harper came back not ready. But, there is nothing to worry about based on his numbers.

Really.

Like Jayson Werth, Trea Turner and Michael Taylor before, Harper needs at-bats in live major-league games to get his timing and rhythm back. Drawing walks is not what he needs to do. Him working counts is not either. He needs to swing as often as possible.

Yet, there are questions about how pain-free he is. After playing Tuesday and Wednesday, Harper sat Thursday while not playing a complete game since his return. There is where you should show concern. The lack of repetitions is not ideal. Nor, is there a choice.

Because Harper’s injury did not allow a comeback until late September, there were no rehab games in the minors to throw him into. Yes, the Nats brought up the Florida Instructional League to barrage him with sim games, but it is not the same as a couple weeks digging in against the best pitchers of the game.

Yes, even this time of year these are the best of the best.

Although rehab stats mean nothing as you fatten up, or not, against lower-level pitching, they are still real games where the pace and feel of the game are real. Harper would lay in the outfield and chat on the bench as he would at Nationals Park. Werth, Turner and Taylor spent a week doing that.

When they returned, it was not overnight for their offense to catch up. Facing decent prospects in Double-A Harrisburg is not the same as any major-league roster. While Werth struggles, Turner and Taylor are back on top.

Which leaves Harper and his recovery.

The four off days between the end of the regular season and Friday’s National League Divisional Series Game 1 against the Chicago Cubs could not come at a worse time. Harper needs that game experience. His knee, however, could use the extra time to heal.

It is unfortunate the biggest games of the year fall at the end of Harper’s rehab experience. Life happens when you are busy making other plans.

Next: Turner ignites October offense

Not close to ideal, it is what it is. Expect Harper to be ready when he is needed most.