Bryce Harper appeared as a pinch hitter for the Washington Nationals on Wednesday afternoon after not starting against the New York Mets.

Harper hit in the eighth inning and grounded out to shortstop.

He is batting a season-low .246 and struggling since mid-April. Dusty Baker said before the game that he wanted the 23-year-old to take a "mental day off."

That included not starting against the Mets and skipping any work in the batting cage.

"I told him to do nothing, just concentrate and watch the game," Baker said. "You can straighten yourself out by watching others and by what they're doing or not doing."

Baker said Harper "was cool with" the decision.