Superstar Bryce Harper had to report to Manager Dave Martinez after his Washington Nationals’ 4-2 defeat at the New York Mets on Friday. The Right Fielder had jogged to first base after a ground ball instead of sprinting.
“I talked to Bryce. But that was a conversation that will remain between me and him,” Martinez told reporters.
In the fifth inning, Harper played Pitcher Noah Syndergaard with runners on first and second base and an out and then hit a grounder directly to shortstop Ahmed Rosario, who finally turned it into a double play. With a more aggressive run to first base, Harper could at least have put more pressure on the defense.
Martinez emphasized, however, that the issue is over for him. “I’ve already forgotten. Really. We have to win a game today and it’s a big part of that,” Martinez said on Saturday before another Nationals bankruptcy in New York.
Harper plays so far a changeable season. Although he ranks second in the National League with 23 home runs, his average stroke of .214 is the worst in his career for a full season. In addition, he has already cashed 102 strikeouts.
Harper is in the final year of his contract in Washington and becomes a free agent in the winter. He is considered one of the biggest names on the upcoming market.
This article was published without previous view by the Major League Baseball.