Bryce Harper strains hamstring, will be re-evaluated Friday
— -- WASHINGTON -- Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper left Thursday night's 5-3 loss to Tampa Bay with a left hamstring strain that occurred while he was making a throw in right field.
The All-Star took an awkward tumble while throwing home, held his left leg while down on the ground and then gingerly walked off the field.
Nationals manager Matt Williams said after the game that the strain was mild and Harper would be re-evaluated Friday. There was no estimate on how long Harper might be out or whether he would need to go on the disabled list.
Harper said he was worried at first that the injury was bad but was much more encouraged after talking to doctors.
The mishap occurred on wet turf in the sixth inning after an earlier rain delay at Nationals Park.
Harper fielded a single by Asdrubal Cabrera and tried to throw home. As he planted his right foot, it slipped and his left leg buckled. The throw went wild.
The slugger stayed down on the grass for a few minutes. He eventually rose to his feet and walked off under his own power, escorted by members of the Nationals' training staff.
Entering Thursday, he was batting .344 with 22 home runs and 53 RBIs. He went 1-for-3 with an RBI against the Rays before exiting.
A two-time All-Star at 22, he has dealt with several lower-body injuries throughout his career and had surgery his left knee after the 2013 season for a bursa sac.
Harper also missed roughly a third of last season with a thumb ligament injury.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
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