Wire Taps: Bryce Harper takes BP; Trea Turner, Corey Seager lead young shortstops; Mike Rizzo optimistic about Harper...

Thank goodness for Ryan Zimmerman and Stephen Strasburg. Wait, what do you mean, those are the guys that are supposed to show up for the playoffs?

Here’s the scoop from Suntrust Park.

Bryce Harper takes BP for first time since injury
Harper normally takes batting practice in the cage, not on the field. However, for his first rips since bending his knee in a way knees aren't supposed to be bent, he made an exception, and hit some deep (DEEP) home runs.

Corey Seager, Trea Turner near head of banner class of young shortstops
Quietly, young shortstops -- namely, Lindor, Correa, Turner, Seager, Bogaerts, Russell, Story, and Dejong -- have taken over baseball, with Turner and Seager leading the pack.

Dusty talks facing Los Angeles without Scherzer, Harper, others
Dusty Baker insisted that the Nats didn't hold their top guns -- Scherzer, Gonzalez, Roark -- from playing against the Dodgers (especially Bryce Harper), but instead it was just how things came out.

Rizzo, Nats "optimistic" that Harper will be back for the playoffs
Harper is progressing, cautiously, carefully, but apparently just fast enough to make it back in time for the NLDS, according to Mike Rizzo.

Olney: How can Shohei Otani make up $200 million in squandered value? (And Strasburg notes)
"(Strasburg) has always been quiet and private, and maybe five or six years ago, he would've let others step out ahead of him. But now he is signed to a long-term contract with the Nationals, he is 29 years old, he has become a father, and this was a moment when the change in him was apparent."

Harper takes on-field BP for first time since bone bruise to knee
Harper was hitting baseballs far, but still didn't love his timing and thinks he still has a ways to go before being back where he needs to be.

Tomorrow’s Game: Nationals vs Braves — 7:35 PM
Probable Pitchers: Max Scherzer vs Luiz Gohara