![](https://sports.cbsimg.net/images/visual/whatshot/harper-51112.jpg)
In and of itself, that wouldn't be big news. After all, baseball players do stuff like this frequently. But in this case, the bat came back and struck Harper above his left eye, slicing him open (via Amanda Comak of the Washington Times). He needed 10 stitches to close the wound (Comak). According to the Associated Press, manager Davey Johnson said Harper will miss "a few days" as he recovers. However, Harper told Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post that he hopes to play on Saturday.
"I think I’m good," Harper said. "The doctor said I could play, so I’m going to play."
Harper returned to the field after the incident, so it's not like he can't play with the injury. He may get what's often referred to as a "mental day" as he has just four hits in his last seven games.
Thanks to fan Brian Stout (@bstouttt) for tweeting the shot of Harper pictured here on the right.
At least Harper earned himself a new nickname in the process.
UPDATE: Bryce Harper is in the Nationals' lineup on Saturday in Cincinnati.Line of the night goes to Ian Desmond, who said "It's not Bryce. From now on he's Bam Bam." #nats
— Amanda Comak (@acomak) May 12, 2012
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