CINCINNATI >> After breaking his left thumb and missing a total of 58 days last year, Bryce Harper made 10 plate appearances in two Triple-A games, cut off his minor league assignment, and rejoined the Phillies’ lineup.

Based on that experience, how many at-bats might he need in the minors as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery?

“I really don’t know if he will go on an assignment,” manager Rob Thomson said Saturday.

At all?

“I mean, if he’s swinging the bat well and he feels good,” Thomson said, “I say why waste it?”

Harper has the same idea. In a conversation with The Philadelphia Inquirer, he conceded that he typically needs repetitions — “Usually 65 to 70 at-bats,” he said — to get his timing down in spring training. But he also suggested that he could get those reps without going to Triple-A.

“At that point, I just need to get back,” Harper said. “It’s good talent down there. It’s nothing against that at all. But big league talent’s a little bit different. A big league game is a little bit different. The more big league talent I get to see, the better it’s going to be for me.”

Nootbaar activated

ST. LOUIS >> The St. Louis Cardinals activated outfielder Lars Nootbaar (jammed left thumb) from the 10-day injured list and optioned infielder-outfielder Juan Yepez to Triple-A Memphis prior to Saturday’s game.

Nootbaar injured his thumb sliding into third base in the Cardinals’ season opener against Toronto on March 30.

Nootbaar was in the Cardinals’ lineup on Saturday against the Pirates at home batting seventh and playing center field.

“It’s good to have him back in the lineup,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. “This is a guy that obviously is good at several things performance-wise, defensively, offensively, on the bases, but also brings a ton of energy and some of the intangibles that he brings to the team are welcomed.”

300 doubles

BOSTON >> Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout hit his 300th career double in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Saturday.

The 31-year-old Trout became the fourth player in MLB history with 300 doubles, 300 homers and 200 stolen bases by his age-31 season, joining Willie Mays, Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez.

Trout hit his double off the Green Monster against Boston starter Nick Pivetta.

Rays’ Springs to IL

TORONTO >> Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Jeffrey Springs is expected to go on the injured list with ulnar nerve inflammation.

Speaking after the Rays lost at Toronto on Friday and ended a 13-0 start, manager Kevin Cash said he expects Springs to be sidelined for some time.

“We’ve talked about getting some opinions, putting doctor’s heads together, our training staff,” Cash said. “But I’m confident he’s not going to be on the mound any time soon for us.”

Springs left two pitches into the fourth inning Thursday against Boston, departing after throwing a 79.8 mph changeup and a 83.5 mph slider to Justin Turner, then looking at his hand and elbow.