WASHINGTON -- A day after he was hit with a pitch just below the right kneecap, Bryce Harper was back in the Nationals' lineup for Sunday's series finale against the Reds. Harper texted manager Dave Martinez on Sunday morning to tell him he felt good enough to start in center field.
"Huge relief," Martinez said. "That doesn't tickle. I've got hit there before and he must be a little bit tougher than I am because I limped to first base and told them get me out the game."
Harper was hit by an 82-mph curveball from reliever Austin Brice in the sixth inning of Saturday night's 6-2 victory.