Both GM Mike Rizzo and Washington Nationals’ skipper Dusty Baker talked on Saturday about why they had not yet put Bryce Harper on the DL even though the struggling, 23-year-old slugger had missed five games while battling a neck issue which had been described at times by the team as neck stiffness or spasms.
Another report, which the Nationals dismissed, suggested that Harper was dealing with a previously undisclosed shoulder issue.
With Harper day-to-day, they explained, they didn’t want to rush him back if he wasn’t ready or put him on the DL and not him have available if he suddenly felt better.