Bryce Harper isn’t allowed to talk, will return Wednesday

Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper looks like he will return to the lineup Wednesday after having an MRI on his left hip Monday. The MRI showed no structural damage.

“He’s been playing with it off and on for the last week,” manager Davey Johnson told Mark Zuckerman of CSN Washington. “They were treating it last week as a sprain. A sprain, you just give it ultrasound and massage and hopefully you get by it. So this may be even better that we know it’s inflammation. They can correct that with medication. So it might be perfect.”

Harper has played just one time in the last week, Friday, when he went 0-for-2 with a walk. Tyler Moore continues to start in his place.

“Well, it’s not going to hurt him,” Johnson went to say. “I mean, you play with a little discomfort all the time. It’s going to be up to him. If he feels like it’s OK, he’ll play. If not, he won’t.”

With Johnson being unclear about Harper’s status, most pundits expected Harper to give an update himself, but according to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post, Harper is not allowed to talk about his injury, under the orders of Nationals general manager and president, Mike Rizzo.

Harper is batting .273, has an on base percentage of .377 and is slugging .504. He has 19 home runs and 49 RBI in 101 games.