The Nationals have placed Bryce Harper on the disabled list with bursitis in his left knee.

The club tried to avoid placing Harper on the DL, but felt it was unavoidable at this point. The move was made retroactive to May 27.

"You always do what's best for the player," Davey Johnson said.

"If the club felt that he would be able to come back in three or four or five days, we wouldn't have DL'd him."

Harper has missed the last five games and has been bothered by the knee since he crashed into the wall in a May 13 game at the Dodgers.