Bryce Harper Injury Update: Visits Dr. James Andrews, Spotted Wearing Knee Brace [PHOTO]

For pro athletes, a trip to Dr. James Andrews’ office is almost never a good sign. So it was only natural if Washington Nationals fans were nervous when they heard that second-year phenom Bryce Harper was spotted wearing a knee brace after a visit with the acclaimed orthopedist.

Harper visited Dr. Andrews on Monday to have his injured knee examined, the Washington Post reported. The 20-year-old was seen wearing a large knee brace in a picture that had been uploaded to Twitter, but Harper's agent Scott Boras insists the brace is merely a “precautionary” measure designed to “keep [the] knee immobile.”

Boras provided more information about Harper’s visit with Dr. Andrews. He said his client had not undergone knee surgery, the Washington Post reported. The agent specifically mentioned arthroscopic surgery as one of the “operative procedures” that had not been performed to treat Harper’s knee injury.

The Nationals have yet to announce the nature of the treatment, if any, that Harper received at Dr. Andrews’ clinic in Pensacola, Fla., the Washington Post reports. The outfielder remains on the franchise’s 15-day disabled list, with no clear timetable set for his return after he recuperates from his left knee injury.

Boras declined to provide details of Harper's physical therapy plans, citing confidentiality laws, but he confirmed that Harper will begin physical therapy soon. Nationals manager Davey Johnson is expected to address Harper’s status on Wednesday.

Harper’s injury was initially diagnosed as left knee bursitis, an ailment that developed after his May 13 collision with the right field wall at Dodger Stadium. The former National League Rookie of the Year continued to play until May 26, buthe was placed on the 15-day disabled list on June 2.

While a source close to Harper told the Post that he was “upbeat” following the visit with Dr. Andrews, the Nationals star expressed his frustration in a Tuesday Twitter post. “I want to play already! Can't sit here and watch my boys out there! Miss being on the field! #DLsucks,” he wrote.