Although there has been no official word yet, there is every indication that Dodgers third baseman Juan Uribe will begin his rehab assignment later this week; at least that’s the impression that Dodgers manager Don Mattingly gave prior to Monday night’s game.

“He’s still improving, hitting, running,” said Mattingly. “We’re still hoping that he’ll be able to get out at some point this week and start his rehab. We’ll just see where it goes. I think that’s the main thing, his body and how he’s feeling.”

Dodgers third baseman Juan Uribe took early batting practice on Monday afternoon in front of ‘the powers that be.’ Uribe could begin his rehab assignment as early as Thursday with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

With all of minor league baseball currently in the midst of their respective All-Star breaks, the earliest that Uribe could begin his rehabilitation would be Thursday evening, when the Advanced Single-A Quakes kick off the second half of their season at LoanMart Field in Rancho Cucamonga with a four-game series with the Inland Empire 66ers. They then travel up the I-15 to nearby High Desert for a three-game series with the Mavericks.

The Dodgers, meanwhile, have Thursday off and then travel to San Diego for a three-game series with the Padres and then to Kansas City for a three-game interleague series with the Royals. They then return home on Thursday, June 26 to open a four-game series with the Cardinals. If Uribe’s rehab goes well and baring any setbacks, he could very well be activated from the disabled list for the Cardinals series.