Nationals’ Will Harris Sidelined with Abdominal Issues

There was one player that pitched in Game Seven of the World Series but wasn’t on the Nationals roster. Reliever Will Harris infamously gave up the go-ahead home run to Howie Kendrick that sealed the victory for the Nats. For his efforts last season (and apparently for Game Seven), the Nats rewarded him with a three-year, $24 million deal in the off-season.

As Spring Training is already a third of the way through, Harris finds himself dealing with an injury. Abdominal issues have him sidelined for at least the next three-to-four days, according to the club’s skipper. The Nationals planned for Harris to make his spring debut Thursday evening against his former club. But after feeling discomfort in his abdomen, the club thought it was best to scratch him before the injury could become serious.

“Harris had a little setback,” Martinez told reporters Thursday afternoon. “As he normally does every Spring Training, he threw an extended bullpen the other day and woke up yesterday and he didn’t feel right. He tweaked his abdomen, so as a precaution, we’re going to hold him back.”

Martinez said an MRI performed on Harris showed no significant issues.

“Just a little tweak,” Martinez said. “He says he feels OK, but we’re going to be on the conservative side and kind of build him up. Like I said, we’re in February, there’s no sense in rushing him out there.”

Washington has been cautious when dealing with their late-inning arms thus far in the early stages of Spring Training. Harris, Sean Doolittle and Daniel Hudson all have yet to make an appearance this spring.

Doolittle, 33, spent time on the injured list last season for knee inflammation. He was activated a few weeks before the postseason began.

The Washington Post reported that Hudson had pitched through a strained MCL from August to October last season. Pitching on only adrenaline and painkillers, Hudson, 33 in early March, was the one on the mound who recorded the final out that secured the Nationals’ first World Series title in franchise history.

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