MLB notes: Nationals slugger Bryce Harper leaves game with apparent leg injury

Bryce Harper appeared to injure his left knee when he slipped on a wet first base, a potentially devastating blow to the NL East-leading Washington Nationals.

While running out a ground ball to the right side of the infield in the first inning Saturday night against the San Francisco Giants, Harper avoided contact with first baseman Ryder Jones and his left foot slipped on the base. His leg buckled , he went airborne and fell to the ground as his helmet went flying.

Harper clutched at his left knee after going down and was attended to by trainers. The star outfielder put no weight on his left leg as he was helped off the field by hitting coach Rick Schu and head athletic trainer Paul Lessard.

The game began just after 10 p.m. EST following a three-hour rain delay. It was still raining when Harper’s injury happened.

Major League Baseball was in control of weather decisions because it’s the Giants’ final trip to Washington this season. The series opener Friday was postponed after a lengthy rain delay to be a part of a day-night doubleheader Sunday.

Harper was replaced by Andrew Stevenson, who took over in center field with Brian Goodwin moving to right.

Harper, the 2015 NL MVP, is batting .327 with 29 home runs and 87 RBIs this season. He played in 105 of Washington’s 113 games.

Because of a bevy of injuries, the Nationals have used 12 outfielders this season. They have been without Adam Eaton since late April because of a torn ACL in his left knee that ended his season, Jayson Werth since early June because of a bruised left foot and Michael Taylor since July with a right oblique strain.

The Nationals lead the NL East by 14 games despite those injuries and more to starting pitchers Stephen Strasburg and Joe Ross, relievers Shawn Kelley and Koda Glover and shortstop Trea Turner, but a long-term injury to Harper would be far more trouble to Washington’s postseason hopes.

Harper is under contract through next season and can be a free agent in the winter of 2018.

Etc.

New York Yankees pitcher Jordan Montgomery was in uniform Saturday after being hit in the head by a fly ball while signing autographs as the Boston Red Sox took batting practice at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees said the 6-foot-6 rookie was examined by the team’s medical staff. The club said Montgomery was expected to make his start Sunday night against Boston ace Chris Sale. Earlier in the day, the Yankees put right-hander Masahiro Tanaka on the 10-day disabled list because of shoulder inflammation. Righty Giovanny Gallegos was recalled from triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. “I don’t think this will be too long,” manager Joe Girardi said of Tanaka’s absence. …

The Boston Red Sox put second baseman Dustin Pedroia back on the 10-day disabled list for the third time this season because of knee trouble. The AL East leaders made the move retroactive to Thursday, and left-hander Robby Scott was recalled from triple-A Pawtucket. Pedroia is out with inflammation. He has been hobbled by knee problems since being injured in a late slide by Manny Machado in Baltimore on April 21. The 33-year-old Pedroia leads the team with a .303 batting average and a .378 on-base percentage. He has six home runs and 54 RBIs. …

Washington Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg will make a minor league rehab start Monday at Class A Potomac. Strasburg has been on the disabled list since late July with a right elbow nerve impingement. Pitching coach Mike Maddux said Saturday that Strasburg is likely to throw about five innings and 75 pitches in his first rehab outing. If Strasburg’s rehab appearance goes well, Washington could activate him to pitch in his hometown of San Diego against the Padres next weekend. Strasburg is 10-3 with a 3.25 ERA in 20 starts this season. He left two innings into his last start July 23 with the injury. …

Marlins president David Samson confirms a signed agreement has been submitted to Major League Baseball to sell the team to a group that includes former New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter. Samson says the MLB ownership committee will review the transaction Wednesday at the owners’ meetings in Chicago. The Marlins anticipate major league owners will approve the deal at a September meeting, and closing will take place in early October, shortly after the end of the regular season, Samson said Saturday. At least 75% of the major league clubs must approve the sale.

UPDATES:

8:15 p.m.: This article has been updated with news of Bryce Harper’s leg injury.

This article was originally published at 2:25 p.m.