Nationals' Bryce Harper: Playing hurt, according to report

Harper has been dealing with an ailing shoulder/neck for the past two months, Sports Illustrated's Tom Verducci reports.

Analysis:

Since the start of July (approximately when the injury occurred, according to Verducci's report), Harper has hit .227/.344/.391 with eight home runs in 270 plate appearances, so his lack of production over that span certainly seems to back up the report that he is playing hurt. Manager Dusty Baker took issue with Verducci's report Tuesday, but that should not come as a surprise, as Baker has been tight-lipped about Harper's status all season and he was likely upset that Verducci found a source close to Harper who was willing to talk. Assuming this report is accurate, it goes a long way toward explaining Harper's struggles this year, which is good news for his owners in keeper leagues but bad news for anyone expecting him to turn things around over the final two weeks of the season.