NEWS » n and do things. So Im optimistic this is going to make him a

WASHINGTON -- Atlanta Braves general manager Frank Wren said Wednesday that a tweet directed at Bryce Harper was "an inappropriate attempt at humour," even as both teams wondered when or if there would be further repercussions from the fastball that drilled the Washington Nationals slugger in the leg the night before. Harper took exception when he hit by Julio Teheran in the fifth inning of the Braves 2-1 win Tuesday. It was the first pitch to Harper after he homered to deep centre off Teheran in the third and trotted around the bases at a slower pace than his usual sprint. Both benches emptied, but no punches were thrown. Shortly afterward, "Clown move bro" was posted to the Braves official Twitter account -- a spinoff of Harpers famous line: "Thats a clown question, bro." "It doesnt reflect how we feel, how we want to do business or who we are," Wren said. "But thats really all I have to say about it. It was an inappropriate attempt at humour. And I think you shouldnt ever be directing anything -- unless its positive or uplifting -- at another team or an opponent. I think thats kind of plain and simple." The Nationals answered the Braves tweet-for-tweet, posting on their official feed: "Which part, giving up the home run, or drilling the 20-year-old on the first pitch his next time up?" Asked if he felt that was appropriate, Nationals manager Davey Johnson said hes also often guilty of speaking rashly. "I usually say whats on my mind," Johnson said. "A lot of times I say too much and Im too candid. But everybody tweets, I guess. Not me." Beyond the Twitter spat, there was also the question as to whether the Nationals would retaliate for what they felt was a clear beaning. Johnson said after the game it was something to file away "for future reference," while Harper took the high road by saying: "Its part of the game and its something, I guess, hes got to do." Asked on Wednesday what might happen in the finale of the three-game series, Johnson said: "Its just baseball as usual." Then he paused and gave a big smile. Johnson also told a story about the time he was hit in the shoulder by Jerry Reuss and suspected it because of a bit of trash talk directed at Leo Durocher. "I knew it wasnt Jerry Reuss because he was kind of a softie," Johnson said. "You say something bad to a manager, you might get plunked. If you lay down a bunt, theyd hit you. Now its going slow around the bases?" Johnson cited Harpers nagging knee injury as a reason for the slower lap around the bases. He was also curious why the Braves, closing in on the NL East title, would risk putting Harper on base in a one-run game. "When youre in their position, its remarkable that that would happen because they would have more to lose in a donneybrook if someone gets hurt," Johnson said. "But everybody has a different viewpoint on how the game is played." 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CINCINNATI -- Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco had surgery on the right side of his hip Monday, the third major operation in little more than a year for the former All-Star.Mesoraco already was on the disabled list following surgery May 10 for a significant tear in his left shoulder. His latest surgery will prevent him from catching again until January, meaning he most likely wont be at full strength when spring training begins. The Reds think he could be ready for opening day, barring setbacks.The 28-year-old catcher had surgery on the other side of his hip last season, limiting him to 23 games. Cincinnati manager Bryan Price said theres no indication the hip problems would become a chronic issue.I havent been told anything about him being at risk, Price said. We certainly would like him to stay healthy and keep him on the field. Its always a crapshoot with any player. Hopefully, what hes doing is putting all this behind him so he can string together some healthy seasons.Dr. Timothy Kremchek, the teams medical director, said Mesoracos left hip has recovered nicely. He started having some problems with the right side of the hip during spring training, and doctors agreed that he would need surgery on it at some point as well. When he needed the shoulder surgery, doctors suggested that Mesoraco get the hip repaired as well.We had talked about when his shoulder was healed enough to be able to handle crutches, we would talk about addressing his right hip, Kremchek saiid.dddddddddddd. What we didnt want to do was for him to have problems in his right hip, say, the middle of next year or the end of next year.Kremchek said Mesoraco will have more range of motion after the latest hip surgery.I think this will give him a spring in his step, Kremchek said. Its going to make it a little easier for him to squat down and do things. So Im optimistic this is going to make him a better catcher and be less stressful on his body.The former first-round draft pick had one of the best seasons by a Reds catcher in 2014, hitting 25 homers and driving in 80 runs. He also made his first All-Star team that season.Before the start of the 2015 season, he got a four-year, $28 million through 2018. The contract pays him $4.9 million this year, $7.2 million in 2017, and $13 million in 2018. During the first two years of the deal, Mesoraco has played in 39 games and batted .158 with two doubles, one homer and three RBI.Hes the second Reds player to sign a big deal and then suffer serious injury. Right-handed starter Homer Bailey agreed to a six-year, $105 million deal before the start of the 2014 season. He needed Tommy John surgery in May 2015 and hasnt fully recovered. Bailey is on a minor league rehab assignment, and the Reds are hoping to get him back in August.---Follow Joe Kay on Twitter: http://twitter.com/apjoekay ' ' '