Bryce Harper Optioned to Triple-A

The Washington Nationals officially optioned top prospect Bryce Harper to Triple-A yesterday, meaning the teenager will have to wait a bit longer until he makes his major league debut.

The writing has been on the wall since Harper injured his left calf 10 days ago.  After experiencing tightness in his calf, Harper was shut down by the Nationals for several spring training games.

Before the injury, Harper was showing that he may be ready or nearly ready to play at the major league level.  Many doubted that Washington would include Harper on their Opening Day roster due to his age and the contract ramifications such a move would have, but the 19-year-old looked as if he wasn’t planning on making the decision an easy one.

However, if the Nationals didn’t already have enough of a reason, Harper’s calf injury basically shut the door on any chances he had of breaking camp with the big league club.  Now the outfielder is set to begin the season in the minors where he can gain additional seasoning and force his way onto the major league roster later this summer.

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