Bryce Harper leaves Washington Nationals game, feeling lightheaded

By Phil Watson | Sep 15, 2014

Sep 15, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper (34) talks with television personality Andi Dorfman (center) and Josh Murray (right) before the Nationals game against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. Dorfman and Murray were stars on The Bachelorette. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

Bryce Harper struck out in his only at-bat in the top of the second inning Monday night against the Atlanta Braves before he was pinch-hit for by Nate Schierholtz when the Washington Nationals came to bat in the fourth.

Mark Zuckerman of NatsInsider.com reported that Harper came out because of was “feeling lightheaded.”

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Schierholtz took Harper’s spot in left field when Washington took the field in the bottom of the fourth.

Coming into Monday, Harper was hitting .327/.379/.623 with six home runs in his last 16 games after struggling mightily upon his return from thumb surgery in late June.

Harper missed more than two months with the injury and went 6-for-40 in the first 12 games after he returned on June 30, with one homer and two RBI.

But he’s recovered nicely of late. After his batting average fell to as low as .249, Harper is now at .270/.341/.429 in 89 games, with 13 homers and 32 RBI.

Harper was an All-Star in each of his first two seasons in the majors, but was not chosen this year.

The 2012 Rookie of the Year in the National League, the 21-year-old was the first overall pick by the Nationals in the 2010 draft out of the College of Southern Nevada. He made his major league debut in April 2012 at the age of 19.

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