Harper scratched from Nationals lineup with sore back

Bryce Harper is human after all.

The Washington Nationals slugger was scratched from the lineup Saturday with a sore back as a result of being hit by a 93-mph fastball from Cincinnati Reds left-hander Tony Cingrani during Friday's game.

"He got hit in the spine, so he's pretty sore," manager Matt Williams told reporters Saturday. "Tried to get loose, couldn't get loose."

After taking a pitch between the numbers, Harper took his time walking to first base, which appeared to agitate several Reds players.

"He should have jogged, but what are you going to do?" Cingrani told MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. "Be a baseball player. Sorry I hit you, run."

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

Harper has been on a remarkable streak this month. The 22-year-old has 13 home runs over his last 67 at-bats and leads the league with 18 this season.

The Nationals also placed right-hander Stephen Strasburg on the 15-day disabled list on Saturday with neck soreness.