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The Bryce Harper rehab stint has had plenty of drama surrounding it.
First of all, there was some confusion as to when it would start and it kept flipping back and forth between Tuesday and Wednesday. Secondly, Nationals manager Davey Johnson said he knew Harper had been running before he was cleared to do so (NOTE: I don't believe Johnson was angry, as he was more talking about how much Harper wanted to get back). And finally, there was the photo of Harper's gigantic knee brace, which many thought proved he had surgery and lied about it.
Well, there's one rehab game in the books, and it was wildly successful.
Harper went 1-for-1 with a double, walk and a run scored in three innings for Class-A Potomac. His double wasn't well struck, but it did showcase that he's pretty well healthy as he recovers from knee bursitis.
"The double he hit was a blooper down the left field line and he was flying," said Potomac manager Brian Daubach. "It's as good as I've seen him run."
Daubach managed Harper in the minors in 2011.
Given that he only played three innings, Harper still needs to work his way back to a full game and the Nationals are targeting next week for a return.
If he stays in Potomac, that surely won't bother the natives. Check out Harper's gate impact, from the Associated Press:
Harper's appearance with Potomac could be felt early on as long lines were visible outside the stadium as early as two hours before the first pitch. Harper's batting practice also caused quite a scene as more than 100 fans crowded around the cage, while others looked on from the top row of the first-base stands. Many in attendance wore Harper's jersey, while others took pictures trying to get a glimpse of the all-star.
Kids chanted his name from atop their father's necks and teenage girls gave him the rock star treatment by screaming as he was led by police officers back to the dugout after the session.
It was the first sellout of the season for the Potomac Nationals.
Harper, 20, is hitting .287/.386/.587 with 12 homers and 23 RBI in 44 games this season. He hasn't played since May 26, when bursitis forced him to the disabled list.
