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Bryce Harper is dealing with left knee soreness as he makes his return to the outfield for the first time in four years, and the timing couldn't be more delicate. The move to right field has clearly put new stress on that knee, and Philadelphia will be watching this situation closely as the stretch run approaches.
Meanwhile, the Athletics may be absorbing a significant blow to their first base situation. Nick Kurtz injured his right thumb and there is legitimate fear inside the organization that he could miss the remainder of the season. For a young Oakland club trying to build something real, losing Kurtz for that stretch would sting badly.
And in Minnesota, Kevin O'Connell has made it official — Kyler Murray is the Vikings' starting quarterback, ending the competition with J.J. McCarthy. Murray gets a full month of first-team reps before the season opener on September thirteenth, giving O'Connell time to build chemistry and install a system around his new signal caller before anything counts.
That's your play-by-play. Sports Desk, back to the booth.
