Nationals activate Harper from DL, option Cedeno to Triple-A

The Washington Nationals today returned from rehab and reinstated outfielder Bryce Harper from the 15-Day Disabled List, and optioned left-handed reliever Xavier Cedeno to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Harper, 21, rejoins the Nationals after missing 59 games with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb. During a rehab assignment with Single-A Potomac and Double-A Harrisburg last week, Harper played in five games and hit .643 (9-for-14) with one double, four home runs, 11 RBI, five walks, seven runs scored, two stolen bases and just one strikeout. He posted a .737 on-base percentage and a 1.571 slugging percentage. Prior to heading to the Disabled List, Harper hit .289 (24-for-83) with a .352 on-base percentage and a .422 slugging percentage. In 22 games, Harper hit one home run, four doubles and two triples, and drove in nine runs. In parts of three Major League seasons, the 2012 National League Rookie of the Year is a career .273 hitter with a .353 on-base percentage and .476 slugging percentage. In 279 games, Harper has hit 43 home runs and 111 extra-base hits, while driving in 126 runs and scoring 177. Cedeno, 27, appeared in one game in his third Major League stint of the season, tossing 1.0 scoreless inning in the second game of the Nationals' doubleheader with the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. On the season, Cedeno has not allowed a run in 3.1 innings. He has allowed four hits and struck out one batter.