Harper returns to Nats lineup, Bernadina starts again

By Dan Kolko

Nationals

June 11, 2012, 10:52am

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Bryce Harper's back kept him out of the starting lineup yesterday. Today, Harper and his back are back. The 19-year-old returns to the Nationals' lineup today as Washington opens a three-game series against the Blue Jays. Tonight, they'll face Toronto righty Brandon Morrow, who is off to a very strong start to the 2012 season, going 7-3 with a 2.90 ERA. Manager Davey Johnson said after yesterday's game that he will be giving Roger Bernadina some more playing time in the coming days, and Bernadina finds himself in the lineup again today, hitting eighth and playing center field. Jesus Flores' name is also in the lineup, even after the Nats catcher got a major scare when he took a foul ball off his throwing hand yesterday. Flores has taken a beating behind the plate lately, playing a ton and getting nicked up seemingly every night, but he's a tough dude and wants to keep on going. Here's the Nats lineup for tonight: LF Steve Lombardozzi RF Bryce Harper 3B Ryan Zimmerman 1B Adam LaRoche DH Michael Morse SS Ian Desmond 2B Danny Espinosa CF Roger Bernadina C Jesus Flores P Edwin Jackson