Bryce Harper will not play for the IronPigs tonight, return to the Phillies expected sooner than later

Bryce Harper won’t play for the IronPigs tonight, according to Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Harper has been putting up video game numbers in Lehigh Valley over the past two nights, going 5-for-8 with 2 doubles, 2 home runs, 2 walks, and 6 RBI, capped off with a walk-off double last night to give the IronPigs a win.
Bryce Harper Walk-Off Double
Originally tweeted by The Liberty Line (@LibertyLinePHL) on August 25, 2022.
Of course, a night off during a rehab stint isn’t anything new, and Harper himself said that he might give himself a game off in Lehigh Valley to see how his body reacts after not playing for two months.
So sure, it’s still a possibility that it’s simply a “wait and see how it feels” type of scenario tonight. However, it’s starting to look more and more like an early return for Harper is a very real possibility.
UPDATE – 4:40 PM EST
BRYCE HARPER WILL BE ACTIVATED TOMORROW >>
Jon Morosi was on MLB Network this morning stating that Bryce Harper could return to the Phillies active roster as soon as TODAY or tomorrow (Friday), which would have him back at home at Citizens Bank Park for the weekend series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Bryce Harper could return today or tomorrow per Jon Morosi
Originally tweeted by MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) on August 25, 2022.
The original plan was to have Harper stay in Lehigh Valley until Saturday, and then take a day off Sunday before hitting the road with the Phillies against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday.
Honestly, I don’t see a problem letting Harper wait until Monday but obviously, if he wants to come back and get some at-bats at Citizens Bank Park this weekend, that would be accepted with open arms the Phillies and fans across the globe.
Regardless, a Bryce Harper return is imminent, just as matter as to when that will actually happen.