Willie Harris nagged by bone bruise in knee

As a result of lingering injuries to his club, Nationals Manager Jim Riggleman said the organization has considered demoting a relief pitcher in order to add another position player.

The Nationals are particularly limited because do-it-all utility man Willie Harris, who was out of the starting lineup for Monday's meeting with the Chicago Cubs, has been nagged by a bone bruise on his right knee.

Harris said his knee was feeling "a lot better" on Monday. But when asked whether he was able to run, he said, "That's the thing I don't know."

Harris, who took batting practice on Monday, said he has been receiving hot and cold compresses to the knee. He was available to enter the game on Monday in pinch-hit situations. Harris did not play in a win over the Los Angles Dodgers on Sunday and went 0 for 3 pinch hitting in a loss to the Dodgers on Saturday.

An MRI exam of Harris's knee indicated it was just a bone bruise and revealed no damage. Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo said the pain in Harris's knee was "as tolerated" in terms of whether he was able to play.