Nats' Matt Williams: Wad in Bryce Harper's mouth isn't chewing tobacco

Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper offered an up-close-and-personal view of himself in a selfie on a fan's phone on Tuesday, which had fans curious about a big wad in his mouth that appeared to be chewing tobacco.

Nats fans were puzzled by the appearance of the bulge in his lip, as Harper has previously declared himself against alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and other substances as part of his Mormon faith.

Manager Matt Williams shed some light on what was in Harper's mouth on Wednesday.

Washington Nationals Bryce Harper takes selfie with cell phone tossed to him by fan http://t.co/6A4c9hHKCe via @FoxSports
— Nicholas (@njpc93) June 3, 2015

"He doesn't do [tobacco]," Williams assured, per CBS DC.

He maintains the substance in Harper's mouth on Tuesday was an herbal alternative to chewing tobacco that is used by some players.

"That herbal stuff is available as an alternative to chew tobacco. Yeah, that's herbal stuff. So nobody needs to worry about that. Yeah, he's perfectly fine. And doing well, so if he wants to put herbs in his mouth, I'm good with that."

(h/t CBS DC)

Photo credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports