Harper's return to Nationals delayed by illness

The Washington Nationals expected outfielder Bryce Harper to return to their lineup Monday, but things didn't work out.

Harper, who has been out of action since Aug. 12 with a knee and calf injury, will not start Monday against the Philadelphia Phillies due to an illness, general manager Mike Rizzo told Byron Kerr of MASN.

On Sunday, a report indicated the Nationals thought Harper would play in Monday's series opener against the Phillies.

If Harper's stay on the disabled list is only postponed by a day, as Rizzo suggests is possible, Tuesday's game would mark Harper's first appearance since hyperextending his knee while trying to beat a groundout and slipping on first base.

The Nationals slugger posted a .325/.431/.590 slash line over 81 games in the first half of the season, including 20 home runs. Since the All-Star break, Harper has been limited to 25 games, but still owns a 1.034 OPS for the 2017 campaign.