WASHINGTON -- Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper left Saturday's 7-1 loss to the Giants in the top of the seventh inning because of a stiff neck. It is not known if he will play in Sunday's finale against San Francisco.
Harper has been dealing with neck problems for the last couple of days, but he was in serious pain in the third inning during an at-bat against Giants right-hander Matt Cain. After fouling off a pitch, Harper was bending down before head athletic trainer Paul Lessard came to his aid.
"It didn't feel very good. It got a little tense in there, and I needed a little break real quick," Harper said after the game. "Good thing our trainer got out there, gave me a second. It just definitely didn't feel right, and we'll see what tomorrow has in store for us."
Harper remained in the game and struck out to end the third inning. He ended up going 0-for-3 with three strikeouts.
"Anybody who has a stiff neck, you are not yourself, so I took [Harper] out for precautionary reasons," manager Dusty Baker said. "We'll see if it's any better tomorrow."