In the first inning of Saturday night’s game against the San Francisco Giants, Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper slipped while running through first base and suffered a knee injury.
On Sunday, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo announced Harper suffered a bone bruise, but avoided ligament and tendon damage in his knee. Harper is expected to be back on the field before the season ends, but there is no timetable for his return.
Due to rainy conditions on Saturday, Harper’s left leg slipped and bent backwards, sending him sailing through the air and collapsing on the ground.
In visible pain, Harper stayed on the ground for over a minute and couldn’t put any weight on his left leg. After over a full minute on the ground, the former National League MVP was helped off the field and did not return to the field during the National’s 3-1 win.
The Atlanta Braves play the six more games against the Nationals this season with one three-game series in Washington D.C. on Sept. 12-14 and the other three-games series at SunTrust Park on Sept. 19-21.
Here’s what MLB fans had to say about Harper’s free fall and injury:
