SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Many expected Washington Nationals top prospect Bryce Harper to stick with Triple-A Syracuse for at least a couple of months, but on Friday afternoon the parent club decided the time to get his feet wet is now and called him up.

The 19-year-old Harper was batting just .250 with one home run for the Chiefs, though he was starting to hit better this past week. He will take the roster spot of injured third baseman Ryan Zimmerman and his first chance to get in a game will be Saturday night at Los Angeles.