Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper to have X-rays on injured thumb

Bryce Harper injured his hand on a play that led to the a bench clearing.

Washington Nationals rightfielder Bryce Harper left Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates with a hand injury.

Harper was injured in Washington's 10–7 victory while sliding into third base on a triple. Harper slid into the bag awkwardly when Pirates third baseman Jung Ho Kang faked as though he was receiving a throw. In reality, the throw was well up the line. 

Harper remained in the game to run the bases, but was removed when the Nationals took the field in the bottom of the inning. He was replaced in the game by Chris Heisey.

Upset with Kang’s fake, Nationals pitcher A.J. Cole threw behind him, sparking a benches-clearing brawl. Cole and Pirates infielder Sean Rodriguez were ejected. 

The team listed Harper as day-to-day, and he will have X-rays on the thumb on Monday.

"The thumb is pretty swollen," Harper said. "It's not in the spot my UCL was. That was good. We'll see how it feels like tomorrow and the next day, and we'll go from there."

Washington has already clinched the NL East and will start the playoffs on Oct. 7 or Oct. 8.