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Harper returns to Nationals' lineup after 4-game absence

Eric Hartline / USA TODAY Sports

The banged-up Washington Nationals will get a welcome sight when they take the field Friday night.

Superstar outfielder Bryce Harper is returning to the Nationals' lineup - he'll be in right field and bat third against the Miami Marlins - after missing the last four contests with a thumb injury.

“He might have been ready to go (Thursday),” Baker told reporters. “So if a guy tells me he’s ready, if I have a luxury, I like to give them one more day off. I just noticed that a lot of guys say they’re ready and you bring them back and they’re really not ready.

"I would prefer that you be champing at the bit to get back (instead) of a person to just say that you’re ready.”

Harper sustained the ailment while sliding into third base during Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates after a fake tag by Jung Ho Kang made him think the play was closer than he realized.

The return of the reigning National League MVP, who recorded hits in five of seven games before the injury, is a boost for manager Dusty Baker, who's had to deal with several injuries to key parts of his division-winning club. Second baseman Daniel Murphy remains out of Friday's lineup with a strained buttocks, while catcher Wilson Ramos was lost for the season due to an ACL tear earlier this week.

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