Bryce Harper To Miss 2 Months

When Bryce Harper entered the Big Leagues three years ago, many critics wondered if he his hard-nosed style would be able to endure the length of a 162 game season.  Now, after multiple stints on the disabled list, Bryce Harper will begin his longest hiatus in his short career after tearing his ulnar collateral ligament his left thumb.  The former number one overall pick in the 2010 draft had his fair share of ups and downs thus far in 2014, and will miss more than two months.

Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Harper is one of four key players on the roster that have already missed significant time, and the team has subsequently struggled to a 14-12 record.  Washington has also lost Wilson Ramos, Doug Fister, and Ryan Zimmerman to injuries, and fans hope the team can return to form in time to capture the division title.

The Nationals sit in third place within the National League East division, and will begin a three game set today against the Houston Astros in Houston.  The Astros have been historically bad in recent memory and should be an opportunity for Washington to gauge where the rest 26 games into the 2014 campaign.  Although the MLB season is brutally long, the Nationals must maintain composure despite not having their top players in order to top the tough Atlanta Braves.