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Bryce Harper's battle with a stomach issue is over and the hard-hitting 22-year-old right fielder is back in the lineup this afternoon as the Washington Nationals take on the St. Louis Cardinals in Grapefruit League action from Viera, Florida's Space Coast Stadium.
Through 12 Spring Training games, the Nats' 2010 no.1 overall pick is 6 for 26 with a double and a home run, 10 walks and seven Ks. Harper has been out of action since Monday afternoon's game against the New York Yankees.
Nationals' skipper Matt Williams talked to reporters about the stomach issue yesterday before the Nats' matchup with the New Yok Mets.
"'He was really feeling bad yesterday, and then today he’s still not feeling well,'" Williams told reporters on Thursday, including NatsInsider.com's Mark Zuckerman.
"'He came in, did a little bit of light swinging in the cage, and he’s still not feeling good. So we sent him home again today.'"
Harper's healthy, apparently, and back in action today, as is Drew Storen (hamate bone surgery, left hand) who is set to return to the mound in competitive action for the first time since he underwent surgery to remove the hamate bone from his left (non-pitching) hand.
Storen's made just one appearance in Grapefruit League action this Spring.
Jordan Zimmermann makes his fifth start of the year this afternoon.
In the previous four outings, the right-hander has given up 14 hits, two walks and three runs, two earned in 13 ⅔ IP (1.32 ERA) over which he's recorded 11 Ks.
Here's the Nationals' lineup for this afternoon's 1:05 PM EDT game in Space Coast Stadium:
#Nats lineup vs. #STLCards: Gwynn LF, Desmond SS, Harper RF, Zimmerman 1B, Stewart 3B, Uggla 2B, Taylor CF, Lobaton C, Zimmermann P
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) March 27, 2015
Watch/Listen: Charlie Slowes has the details
Final spring radio broadcast from FLA at 1:00 on WJFK-1580am & WFED-1500am (2 signals in DC). JZimm pitching, Harper back in lineup.
— Charlie Slowes (@CharlieSlowes) March 27, 2015
You can, of course, also listen along on MLB.com's Gameday audio as Zimmermann takes on the Cardinals.