Harris (pectoral) suffered another setback and will get an MRI to determine the next steps in his recovery, Andrew Golden of the Washington Post reports.
He has been dealing with lingering effects from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery performed two summers ago, and at this point, it seems unlikely that Harris will ever get back on a mound for the Nationals. The 38-year-old right-hander is in the final year of a three-year, $24 million contract signed ahead of the 2020 campaign, and he's only been healthy enough to pitch 23.2 innings for Washington during that time.
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Nationals' Will Harris: Resumes rehab assignment
Rotowire
Harris (pectoral) resumed his rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A Rochester, striking out one and working around a hit in a scoreless inning.
Harris has been on the shelf all season after undergoing thoracic outlet syndrome last summer and a follow-up procedure in the spring, but it's been a groin issue that has most recently sidelined him during his rehab assignment, according to Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com. The right-hander previously started his rehab assignment July 23 and made four appearances before the groin injury kept him out of action for two weeks. Fortunately, Harris looks to have overcome the brief setback, but he'll still likely need to make another appearance or two in the minors before coming off the 60-day injured list.
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Nationals' Will Harris: Begins rehab assignment
Rotowire
Harris (pectoral) allowed three runs on three hits and no walks while failing to strike out a batter in one-third of an inning during a rehab appearance at Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
Harris made a rehab appearance at Single-A Fredericksburg over the weekend and tossed one scoreless frame, but he was unable to replicate those results Wednesday. In spite of his struggles to limit run production, the right-hander seems to be closing in on his return to the major-league club.
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Nationals' Will Harris: Resumes mound work
Rotowire
Harris (pectoral) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
According to Zuckerman, Harris has now thrown off a mound about four or five times since he was first cleared to resume a throwing program in late April. Harris should continue to ramp up the intensity of his side sessions heading into the All-Star break, and he said he feels like he's nearly ready to face hitters. Since signing a three-year, $24 million deal with the Nationals in January 2020, Harris has been limited to 28 appearances, including only eight since the start of the 2021 campaign following thoracic outlet syndrome surgery last summer and pectoral surgery March 31.
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Nationals' Will Harris: Nearing throwing program
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Harris (pectoral) is expected to resume throwing around May 1, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
Harris underwent right pectoral surgery March 31 and began the season on the 60-day injured list. While he won't be eligible to return to the big-league roster any time soon, he'll resume throwing after being shut down for a month. Since the right-hander was also limited during spring training, he'll likely require time to ramp up before he's able to begin a rehab assignment.
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Nationals' Will Harris: On 60-day IL after recent procedure
Rotowire
The Nationals placed Harris on the 60-day injured list Thursday after he underwent right pectoral surgery March 31, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
After undergoing thoracic outlet syndrome surgery last June, Harris received a clean bill of health heading into spring training. However, Harris almost immediately experienced a setback in his recovery from the surgery, as he was shut down about two weeks ago before manager Dave Martinez acknowledged Tuesday that the right-hander recently required another procedure to remove scar tissue that built up in his arm. Harris will be barred from throwing for the next 3-to-4 weeks, and the Nationals' decision to place him on the 60-day IL implies the right-hander will need at least an additional month beyond that before being ready for game action. Since signing a three-year, $24 million deal with Washington ahead of the 2020 season, Harris has pitched just 23.2 innings for the club.
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Nationals' Will Harris: Won't open with big-league club
Rotowire
Harris (neck) won't be with the Nationals for Opening Day and will remain at extended spring training to continue his rehab, Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington reports.
Harris was reportedly healthy entering spring training after undergoing surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome last June, but he's recently experienced some lingering issues and is set to open the season on the injured list. The veteran right-hander was limited to eight games for Washington last season, but he had a 3.06 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 21:9 K:BB over 17.2 innings during his first year with the team in 2020.
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Nationals' Will Harris: Hits snag in recovery
Rotowire
Harris said Monday that he's experiencing lingering issues after undergoing thoracic outlet syndrome surgery last June, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
Harris didn't go into detail regarding what exactly is ailing him, but he hasn't pitched in a Grapefruit League game since March 19. The Nationals gave Harris a clean bill of health heading into spring training, but the setback he's dealing with looks like something that could force him to the injured list to begin the season. Since signing a three-year, $24 million deal with the Nationals following the 2019 season, Harris has made only 28 relief appearances for the club.
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Nationals' Will Harris: Good to go for camp
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Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said Sunday that Harris (thoracic outlet surgery) is healthy for the start of spring training, Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington reports.
Harris is one of two Nationals pitchers returning from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery to whom Rizzo gave a clean bill of health for the beginning of big-league camp, with staff ace Stephen Strasburg also getting a good prognosis following his procedure. Given that he'll need to build up for starting duty, Strasburg will presumably be brought along more slowly in camp, but Harris looks like he'll be available early on during the Nationals' Grapefruit League slate. Rizzo noted that Harris has been able to do a normal throwing program during the offseason after his 2021 campaign ended in early June, when he was recommended to undergo the procedure to correct a nerve issue in his hand. During his last healthy season in 2020, Harris served as a setup man for Washington, posting a 3.06 ERA and collecting six holds and a save over 17.2 innings during the pandemic-shortened campaign.
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Nationals' Will Harris: Throws on field
Rotowire
Harris (ribs) threw on the field ahead of Monday's game against the Phillies, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
This marks the first time Harris has been seen throwing since he underwent thoracic outlet surgery in early June. It's possible he's already done for the season, but the fact that he's at least resumed throwing in some capacity keeps open the possibility that he could return at some point late in the year.
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Nationals' Will Harris: Transferred to 60-day IL
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Harris (thoracic outlet syndrome) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Saturday.
He recently underwent surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome and the team is officially saying he is dealing with right hand inflammation. Harris may not return this season.
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Nationals' Will Harris: Undergoes surgery
Rotowire
Harris underwent surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome Friday, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.
The procedure carries a lengthy recovery timeline, so it's possible Harris is done for the year, though the Nationals have yet to officially announce his timeline. The veteran righty will likely shift to the 60-day injured list whenever the Nationals next need a 40-man roster spot.
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Nationals' Will Harris: Set to have thoracic outlet surgery
Rotowire
Harris has been diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome and will undergo surgery Friday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
The possibility of this diagnosis was feared and now it has become a reality for the veteran right-hander. Recovery time for thoracic outlet syndrome is typically multiple months, so it's very possible that Harris will miss the remainder of the season. That being said, the Nationals will likely provide an official timeline for the 36-year-old in the coming days, with a shift to the 60-day injured list almost certain.
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Nationals' Will Harris: Meeting with specialist
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Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Sunday that Harris will fly to Dallas to visit a hand specialist this week, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
After missing the first month of the season with right hand inflammation, Harris made eight appearances for the Nationals before he was moved back to the 10-day injured list Sunday due to the same issue. The Nationals don't plan to provide a timeline for Harris' return to action until he receives an evaluation from the specialist.
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Nationals' Will Harris: Returns to IL with hand issue
Rotowire
Harris was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday with inflammation in his right hand, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
The 36-year-old missed the first month of the season due to the same injury, and he continues to experience inflammation in his pitching hand. It's unclear how long Harris is expected to be sidelined, though he won't be eligible to be activated until early June.
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Nationals' Will Harris: Returns from injured list
Rotowire
Harris (hand) was activated from the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Hand inflammation has kept Harris sidelined since the start of the season. With 2.40 ERA over the last six seasons, Harris should slide right into an important role for the Nationals in his return to action.
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Nationals' Will Harris: Set to throw Sunday
Rotowire
Harris (hand) will throw at the team's alternate site Sunday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Harris has been dealing with inflammation in his hand and stated Friday that he was "a few weeks away" from a return to the mound. He has been without pain, but understandably has struggled to find the feel for his pitches due to the inflammation. Nevertheless, the fact that he continues to throw in simulated game action is a positive sign.
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Nationals' Will Harris: Still a few weeks away
Rotowire
Harris (hand) is still trying to figure out how to pitch around the inflammation in his hand and estimates he's a "few more weeks" away from rejoining the Nationals bullpen, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
Doctors have been stumped trying to diagnose the issue, but Harris said Wednesday that it doesn't cause him any pain and that his arm and elbow feel fine. Of course, trying to command his pitches with puffy fingers is less than ideal, but he was able to face live hitters Wednesday and tossed about 20 pitches. If Harris' guess is correct, he could make his season debut in mid-May.
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Nationals' Will Harris: Turns in another bullpen session
Rotowire
Harris (hand) completed a 26-pitch bullpen session Sunday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Harris "looked OK" during the throwing session and will get back on the mound again Tuesday. Harris looks like he could be on track to return from the 10-day injured list before the end of April.
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Nationals' Will Harris: Throws bullpen session
Rotowire
Harris (hand) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session Thursday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Manager Dave Martinez described Harris' throwing session as "light" work, but it's encouraging to see the right-hander throwing again since he had been sidelined since mid-March due to right hand inflammation. It's not yet clear when Harris will be able to make his season debut. Once he's cleared to return to game action, Harris should join Daniel Hudson and Tanner Rainey as setup options for the Nationals.
