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Nationals’ Harper back in lineup Saturday after leg injury

Washington Nationals' Ian Desmond (20) and center fielder Denard Span (2) look at right fielder Bryce Harper as he holds his left leg after an injury, as head athletic trainer Lee Kuntz, right, attends to Harper during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Nationals Park, Thursday, June 18, 2015, in Washington. Harper left the game. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Washington Nationals' Ian Desmond (20) and center fielder Denard Span (2) look at right fielder Bryce Harper as he holds his left leg after an injury, as head athletic trainer Lee Kuntz, right, attends to Harper during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Nationals Park, Thursday, June 18, 2015, in Washington. Harper left the game. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

By Associated Press June 20, 2015 1 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper is back in Washington’s lineup two days after suffering a mild left-hamstring strain, but remains under close watch by his coaching staff.

Harper, who ranks in the top three in the NL with a .344 average, 22 homers and 53 RBIs, slipped on damp grass in the sixth inning making a throw Thursday night and gingerly walked off the field.

After receiving medical treatment Friday and Saturday, Nationals manager Matt Williams put Harper back into right field and the cleanup spot for Saturday afternoon’s game against Pittsburgh.

The 22-year-old two-time All-Star’s injury is the latest in a string for a team that has lost 14 of its last 21.

Williams says starter Stephen Strasburg (neck tightness) might return to the rotation this week after he pitched a successful bullpen session Saturday.