Bryce Harper Called Up By Nats

The Bryce Harper Era arrives tomorrow.

The Nationals have called up the 19 year old outfielder to take the place of injured third baseman Ryan Zimmerman.

Harper will be active on Saturday in Los Angeles at Dodger Stadium.

Harper has struggled at AAA-Syracuse, hitting .250 with one home run and three RBI in 82 at bats.

Zimmerman will be placed on the 15-day disabled list with an injured shoulder.

It was expected that the Nationals might wait until June to bring up Harper in order to avoid Super Two contract status.

With cleanup hitter Mike Morse on the DL, and now the number three hole vacated by the injured Zimmerman, the Nationals didn't have much choice.

The plan is to keep Harper in the majors until Zimmerman returns from the DL. Obviously, if Harper is playing well, those plans could change.

Right handed Chad Billingsley is the scheduled starter tomorrow night for the Dodgers. Stephen Strasburg will be on the hill for Washington.