Nationals recall outfielder Bryce Harper, place third baseman Ryan Zimmerman on DL

The Washington Nationals today recalled outfielder Bryce Harper from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League and placed third baseman Ryan Zimmerman on the 15-Day Disabled List, retroactive to April 21, with right shoulder inflammation. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. The 19-year-old Harper is expected to make his debut during tonight's game in Los Angeles-NL. The first-overall selection in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft out of the College of Southern Nevada in the wood-bat Scenic West Athletic Conference, Harper is baseball's top-rated prospect according to Baseball America. Harper hit .290 with one home run, two RBI, seven walks and a .421 on-base percentage in his last 10 games played with Syracuse. In 129 career minor-league contests, he batted .290 with 71 runs, 28 doubles, three triples, 18 home runs, 61 RBI and 68 walks. He posted .383 on-base and .481 slugging percentages during his brief stay in the minor leagues. During two seasons (2010-11) in the prospect-laden Arizona Fall League, Harper posted a combined .336 batting average with seven home runs and 33 RBI in 34 contests. Harper was recognized as the 2010 USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award winner, which annually recognizes the top amateur baseball player in the country, just one year after being named the 2009 Baseball America National High School Player of the Year as a 16-year-old junior. Zimmerman, 27, has batted .224 with four doubles, one home run and seven RBI in 15 contests this season.