Harper confirms there's no timetable for return
Williams hopes star returns July 1, but left fielder 'not going to rush back'
WASHINGTON -- Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper (torn left thumb ligament) confirmed Thursday that there is no set timetable for his return.
Harper suffered his injury sliding into third base against the Padres on April 25. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list two days later and has missed 33 games. Manager Matt Williams said Wednesday he hopes for a July 1 return for Harper, but the 21-year-old slugger is not as set on any specific date.
"If it takes me till after the All-Star break or a month after the All-Star break, then it's going to take me that long," Harper said. "I'm not going to rush back. I'm not going to do anything stupid. I'm just going to see how I feel and go from there."
Harper said he still couldn't close his glove around a baseball, which has prevented him from doing any work in the outfield, taking ground balls and playing catch. Harper also hasn't taken swings with two hands yet, and he said the vibration of the bat would perhaps be the biggest test for him in his return.
"I don't really have that itching feel," Harper said. "Of course, I want to play and it [stinks] having to sit inside the dugout and watch my team without me out there. But nothing's been too bad."
Harper took hand-rolled ground balls and threw Tuesday in an effort to maintain motion. He has also been working with the team therapist, doing strengthening and flexibility exercises for his injured ligament.
"I'm just going to take as much time as I can to be where I need to be," Harper said, "to be 100 percent or close to 100 percent when I come back so I can help this team."
Ryan Zimmerman overcame his fractured thumb and returned to the lineup Tuesday night against the Phillies, making his first career start in left field -- Harper's position. In terms of fitting in, Harper said he would like to play center field more than anywhere else on field. He also joked about getting some time behind the plate to give Wilson Ramos some rest.
"My numbers are a lot better in center field," Harper said. "I feel good there. But of course we have Denard Span, who's one of the best center fielders in the game, if not the best. So I'll play anywhere they want me."