Rizzo: Second opinions are protocol

By Bill Ladson and Tom Schad

June 9, 2013

WASHINGTON -- Nationals manager Davey Johnson said earlier this week that outfielder Bryce Harper would visit orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews to get a second opinion on the nagging bursitis in the 20-year-old's left knee. But there was something about seeing Andrews, a renowned specialist who recently reconstructed the knee of Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III, that caused alarm.

General manager Mike Rizzo said that Harper's visit is just protocol.

"There's no worry about [Harper's knee]," Rizzo said. "It is our protocol that players get a second opinion on any part of the body that we feel is a disabled list-type of injury. Guys get second opinions all the time here, and every guy that we put on the disabled list has gotten a second opinion.

"James Andrews, we utilize him for our knees. When there was a hand injury, we didn't send [anyone] to James Andrews. We sent him to a hand specialist for a second opinion. That didn't make any headlines, but it's protocol."

Harper, who is eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday, flew to Pensacola, Fla., on Sunday and will meet with Andrews on Monday morning. The reigning National League Rookie of the Year will rejoin the team in Colorado on Tuesday.

Bill Ladson is a reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog, All Nats All the time He can also be found on Twitter @WashingNats. Tom Schad is an associate reporter for MLB.com Follow him on Twitter @Tom_Schad.