Updated

The Washington Nationals chose to place outfielder Bryce Harper on the 15-day disabled list Saturday due to a knee injury that has kept the young slugger out of the team's last five games.

The move is retroactive to May 27, with Harper eligible to return on June 11 at the earliest.

Harper initially hurt his left knee when colliding into the outfield wall during a May 13 road game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 2010 No. 1 overall pick returned to action three days later, but aggravated the problem on a head-first slide in this past Sunday's 6-1 win over Philadelphia.

The 20-year-old leads the Nationals with 12 home runs and a .287 batting average this season.

Washington recalled pitcher Erik Davis from Triple-A Syracuse to fill the available roster spot. The right-hander posted a 1-2 record with a 3.00 earned run average and seven saves over 21 appearances with the Chiefs.