Nationals GM optimistic Harper will return for postseason

The Washington Nationals were the first team in baseball to clinch their division last Sunday, but things are only going to get tougher in the postseason. Good thing Bryce Harper may be back to help out the team.

Nationals president of baseball operations and general manager Mike Rizzo told MLB Network Radio that Harper is progressing cautiously, but the team is optimistic he'll return for the postseason.

"Harp has been doing some baseball activities," Rizzo explained. "He is progressing at a cautious pace. We are optimistic that he will be here for playoff baseball and we're moving towards those ends.

"He really lengthens the lineup and is an impact guy in the middle that everybody that we play has to account for. He makes it easier for everybody around him."

The 2015 National League MVP ran from foul pole to foul pole at Nationals Park on Thursday before playing catch with a team trainer. At times, he upped the intensity of his run to a sprint.

Harper has been sidelined for more than a month after he was carted off the field Aug. 12. The 24-year-old outfielder slipped on first base while trying to run out a ground ball against the San Francisco Giants.

The Nationals later revealed Harper had hyperextended his left knee suffering a bone bruise and a calf strain, although no ligament damage was discovered.

Before the injury, Harper was hitting .326/.419/.614 with 29 home runs and 87 RBIs across 106 games for Washington.