On Friday, Washington Nationals manager Davey Johnson, the team’s star sophomore slugger could begin his rehab assignment as early as Tuesday in Single-A Potomac.
However this was news to Harper himself. The Nats’ right fielder, out since May 26th with left knee bursitis, had a differing opinion. Harper told reporters on Saturday:
“Tuesday, that’s kind of early. I’m thinking Wednesday or Thursday maybe. I’m not sure. We’ll see how I feel. If I feel good, then I’ll go play. If I feel something isn’t right, then I’m not going to go play. It depends on how I’m feeling.”
When told of the comments Johnson responded with the following.
“When a player starts playing, it’s really up to me, what I think they need. Not up to the player. I’m always trying to do what’s best for the player. But at the same time, it’s my job to know when they’re ready and when they’re not.
“He’s probably worried about timing and everything being letter perfect. All that changes if you’re in Potomac. You may never get your timing there because it’s a whole new ballgame there, guys don’t have command as well as they do up here, and there’s a big variation in how they pitch to guys.”
Clearly Johnson is not happy with Harper’s plan to put the rehab schedule back. However, I think that the Nationals have to listen to the star slugger. No one really knows how healthy Harper is, better than the player himself.
It is nice to see a player who cares about his own health, instead of rushing back before he is ready. Harper is a great young player who has a long productive career ahead of him, and there is no use rushing him back for a few days in June and July. Its surprising that the Nationals, so careful with the health of Stephen Strasburg’s arm last fall, such that they didn’t use their star pitcher in the playoffs, are now seemingly trying to rush Harper back into the lineup.
With the way Harper plays, his reckless style, and willingness to put his body on the line for his team, I have a hard time believing that he is nursing an injury, or avoiding returning to the lineup. I think that if Harper doesn’t think he is at the stage of rehab to start playing live games, then the Nationals and their manager, should listen to their player.
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photo credit: Matthew Straubmuller via photopin cc
