Should the Nationals sit Bryce Harper?

Bryce Harper was sent home from Miami to receive further tests on an injured hip, the latest injury on a laundry list of ailments he has suffered in 2013. With only 20 games remaining in the Nationals’ season, should the Nationals sit Harper for the remainder of the season?

Many analysts are asking that question today, but it strikes me as a bit hasty. The mere fact that Harper was sent home shows that the injury is not nothing, but we still do not know exactly how serious it is. It would be a mistake for the team to prematurely shut him down only for a doctor to declare that there is nothing significantly wrong.

Being the competitor that he is, Harper obviously will not like being shut down for any period of time. He will take issue if he feels he can play but is forced to sit.

The Nationals also want to be careful about developing a reputation. With last year’s shutdown of Stephen Strasburg, if the team were to shutdown Harper they may start to be seen around the league as overprotective.

The fact that the Nationals want to protect their players is great, but being overprotective could be detrimental.  Older players could be hesitant to sign if they have an injury history and eager young players could worry about being held back for a title run that may never come.

The Nationals may not be mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, but they trail Cincinnati by eight games with only 20 remaining. There will be no postseason baseball in DC. Playing it safe with Harper is smart, but only if he risks further injury.

Let’s wait to see what the doctors say before we start screaming for Harper to sit. No point in angering one of the team’s young stars or developing a reputation before we even know how serious this injury is.

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