The Washington Nationals received good news Tuesday afternoon when injured slugger Bryce Harper played in a simulated game in Atlanta.
The right fielder faced live pitching, ran the bases and fielded ground balls in the outfield. Another workout follows Wednesday. If all goes well, another round of sim action over the weekend and a possible return early next week in Philadelphia to face the Phillies.
If he comes back for the regular season’s final week, it marks the best possible news for Harper and the Nats. With as many as seven games left before the playoffs, a return to the lineup gives him a chance to get the full timing back on his swing before the National League Divisional Series the following week.