MLB notebook: Nationals OF Harper returns from knee injury

The Washington Nationals reinstated outfielder Bryce Harper from the 10-day disabled list prior to Tuesday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

Harper returns to the roster after missing 41 games with a hyperextended left knee. The 2015 National League Most Valuable Player sustained the injury after his spike slipped on a wet first base bag while trying to beat out a ground ball in a contest against the San Francisco Giants on Aug. 12.

Harper ranked second in the NL in both OPS (1.034) and runs (92) and fourth in on-base percentage (.419), batting average (.326) and homers (29) at the time of his injury. The five-time All-Star has 87 RBIs and 92 runs scored in 106 games this season.

–Boston Red Sox All-Star outfielder Mookie Betts is day-to-day with an injured left wrist and was not in the starting lineup for Tuesday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Betts aggravated the injury during Monday’s loss to the Blue Jays and departed in the eighth inning. He underwent a CT scan and no structural damage was discovered. Betts said he experiences a “sharp pain” when he swings the bat. He is hitting .265 with 23 homers and 101 RBIs.

Red Sox infielder Eduardo Nunez aggravated a knee injury during Monday’s game and also departed the contest. He is not in Tuesday’s starting lineup either, and Boston manager John Farrell said there is no timetable for his return.

–Center fielder Aaron Hicks was activated from the disabled list by the New York Yankees.

Hicks, 27, returns from his second stint on the 10-day DL this season with a strained oblique.

The Yankees were using Hicks in the No. 2 spot in the batting order and playing him daily in center field before he strained his left oblique earlier this month.