After late change, Harper will play for first time in eight days

Bryce Harper wasn't in the lineup the Nationals initially announced for today's series finale against the Braves, the sixth straight game and eight straight day he would be sidelined with a neck injury.

And then about 45 minutes later, Harper suddenly was playing again.

The Nationals announced a new lineup, and this time it included Harper. In his first appearance since Aug. 6, the reigning National League MVP will bat third and start in right field.

No official explanation has been given yet for the switch, and manager Dusty Baker doesn't meet with reporters before Sunday afternoon games, but Harper walked through the clubhouse several times this morning and apparently convinced Baker and trainers he was healthy enough to play.

Harper last was seen on the field in the sixth inning of the Nationals' Aug. 6 game against the Giants. He batted three times in that game, striking out all three times. During his second at-bat, he fouled off a pitch and then hunched over in apparent pain. After a conversation with head athletic trainer Paul Lessard, he remained in the game, took another at-bat and played three more innings in the field.

By the time the top of the seventh arrived, Harper was replaced in right field by rookie Brian Goodwin. He hadn't played since, with questions swirling about the exact nature of an injury that initially was deemed a "stiff neck" by the club and later was referred to by Baker as "neck spasms."

An MRI of Harper's neck taken Saturday morning came back "clean," according to general manager Mike Rizzo, so the Nationals' insistence that a stint on the disabled list wasn't necessary was bolstered. The fact he's now playing today underscores the club's confidence; if Harper re-injured himself now, a DL move could not be backdated.

Daniel Murphy and Jayson Werth, meanwhile, are not starting today. Baker is giving both veterans a planned day off, expecting each to start each game in the Nationals' upcoming series at Colorado.