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.