Bryce Harper looked good Thursday in his first on-field batting practice since undergoing ligament surgery on his left thumb last month.

"Honestly, we almost ran out of baseballs," Matt Williams said. "Between he and Wilson (Ramos), whoever gets in the park first today and goes to the outfield will have lots of souvenirs."

Williams said Harper will begin a minor league rehab assignment after the Nationals begin a road trip next week.

"I'm still trying to see where my swing's at. ... I don't see myself coming back after five games or four games," Harper said. "I really want to push it and see how I feel after eight, nine games down there. If I feel good before that, then I'll see where I'm at."