Nats GM: Harper injury report is 'inaccurate'

Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo refuted a report Friday that indicated reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper has been playing through a shoulder injury for the last two months.

Earlier in the day, sources told Sports Illustrated's Tom Verducci that Harper aggravated the shoulder injury - which is said to be located at the base of his neck - during a headfirst slide two months ago, leading to a variety of treatments and impeding his swing.

Rizzo quickly denied the report, stating that Harper's ailment isn't a bad shoulder but rather a stiff neck.

"He hasn't had a right shoulder injury," Rizzo said. "He's got a stiff neck that we've been treating - yes with cupping, yes with (massage therapy), like 14 or 15 other players on the team on a routine basis like we always do. The report is inaccurate."

Rizzo added that he isn't worried about Harper missing anymore time, and doesn't consider the injury serious.

"He's day to day," he said. "I have a low level of concern."

Harper has missed Washington's past three games with what the club is calling neck spasms.

A nagging shoulder injury may explain a staggeringly quiet summer for the 23-year-old reigning National League MVP, whose hitting has fallen off since the end of June: