Harper scratched from starting lineup

Bryce Harper was held out of the Nationals' starting lineup against the Braves due to a bruised triceps.

Manager Davey Johnson said Harper was bruised when hit by two pitches in Friday night's game. Harper couldn't get loose when he tried to hit in the cage before Saturday night's game. He did, however, enter the game in the 9th inning as a defensive replacement, and stayed in.

Denard Span replaced Harper as the leadoff hitter and centerfielder.

Harper was hit by pitches in the fourth and eighth innings by Alex Wood and Luis Avilan on Friday night. Home plate umpire Marty Foster warned both benches after Avilan hit Harper on his shoulder in the eighth. Avilan's pitch apparently caused the bruise.

On Aug. 6, both benches emptied when Harper was hit by Julio Teheran in the Braves' 2-1 win at Washington.