Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper's status for this weekend unclear

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper might miss the weekend series against the Braves. (Justin K. Aller/Getty Images Sport)

Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper continues to have issues with his knee and his status for this weekend's series against the Atlanta Braves is in question, reports the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network.

Harper has missed two games with bursitis in his left knee and will sit out at least the next two games against the Baltimore Orioles.

Harper injured the knee when colliding with the right field wall in Los Angeles two weeks ago and aggravated the injury this past weekend when he slid head-first into both second and third base.

Nationals manager Davey Johnson was not optimistic about Harper's chances of playing this weekend.

"I don't have a lot of high hopes, but I'm hopeful," Johnson said.

"It's kind of a tough thing - inflammation, bursa sac, whatever you want to call it - hopefully if he just stays off it, (it will improve)," Johnson said. "He's been trying to go down in the cages and hit and take BP. Hopefully maybe two more days. Hopefully he'll be able to come back and play. Hopefully."

Harper is batting .287 with 12 home runs and 23 RBI this season.