Bryce Harper out vs. Padres

Bryce Harper was not in the lineup against the San Diego Padres on Saturday, one day after the Washington Nationals star jammed his thumb while sliding into third base.

Nationals manager Matt Williams said prior to Saturday's game against San Diego that Harper was available "off the bench for sure." Williams said a hand specialist will look at Harper on Saturday.

"The early tests today are pretty good," Williams said. "The X-rays are negative. There's some swelling there. We just want to make sure we knock it out."

Harper did not appear in the Nationals' 4-0 victory over the Padres. He exited Friday's game in the fourth inning, one inning after he slid headfirst into third on a bases-loaded triple.

The Nationals did not disclose whether Harper, who said his thumb was swollen and tight, would undergo an MRI.

"I slid into the bag and I caught [the thumb] a little bit," Harper said. "Went into the dugout, swung a couple in the cage, felt fine. Went out to the outfield, it swelled up a little bit."

The Nationals owned a 6-0 lead when Harper was removed from the game.

"I thought we were in a good spot, and [Williams] did too," Harper said. "So I got in and got some treatment on it."

Kevin Frandsen took Harper's place in left field on Saturday.

Harper went 2-for-2 and had had a career-high four RBIs on Friday night, giving him nine for the season as he lifted his batting average to .289. He has only one home run in 83 at-bats.

The injury-plagued Nationals already are without star third baseman Ryan Zimmerman (thumb) and catcher Wilson Ramos (wrist), both of whom are on the disabled list.

"We've got a great lineup and we're missing [Ramos] and [Zimmerman]," Harper said, according to the Washington Post. "I think where we're at right now swinging the bat, I think everybody needs to just keep it going, and we'll keep going every day.

"It [stinks]. But I feel like my swing is where it needs to be. I feel good, am staying on a lot of pitches and having good at-bats. Hopefully I come in [Saturday] and it feels pretty good."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.