*  *  *  UPDATED Sunday, June 22, 2014 –  10:00 AM  *  *  *

Almost one month to the day after straining his right hamstring legging out a double at Citi Field in New York, Dodgers third baseman Juan Uribe says that he is ready to return to the Dodgers line-up.

“I feel good, I’m ready,” said the 35-year-old Uribe as he was preparing to take batting practice on Saturday afternoon at LoanMart Field in Rancho Cucamonga, where he has been rehabbing with the Quakes for the past three days.

In his three rehab games with the Quakes, Uribe went 4 for 11 (.364) with a double, three runs scored and one RBI. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

It was reported prior to Friday night’s series opener against the Padres at Petco Park that Uribe could possibly be reactivated from the disabled list as early as today, although there has been no official word on this yet.

Uribe began his rehab assignment with the Quakes on Thursday evening, June 19 as the designated hitter. In four at bats he went 2 for 4 with a double and two runs scored. After the game Uribe said that he felt good with no ill effects.

On Friday evening Uribe played six innings at third base and was involved in three defensive plays. Even though Uribe went 0 for 3 with two ground outs and a pop foul out, he again experienced no issues during or after the game.

In his third and final scheduled rehab game on Saturday night, Uribe played five innings at third base and was involved in one defensive play. This time, however, he went 2 for 4 (two singles), scored a run and had one RBI. But perhaps his biggest accomplishment was going first to third on a Corey Seager double and then scoring on a ground out to second base. He also grounded out twice in which he ran hard to first base.

Uribe going from first to third was all the proof needed to show that he is ready to return to action with the Dodgers. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

“He looked perfectly healthy to me,” said Quakes pitching coach Matt Herges after Saturday night’s game. “He passed my test.”

Quakes hitting coach Mike Eylward concurs with Herges.

“I didn’t see any medical problems at all,” said Eylward. “He’s ready.”

So why ask the Quakes coaches about Uribe’s health instead of asking Uribe himself? Because he declined to speak with reporters after he exited the game. He also snubbed fans waiting outside of the clubhouse hoping for an autograph. He did, however, flash them the peace sign, so there’s that.

Although it is possible that Uribe could be re-activated later today, a more likely scenario would have him activated on Monday when the team travels to Kansas City for a three-game series with the red hot Royals – if for no other reason than Justin Turner, Uribe’s primary replacement at third base during his absence, has himself been red hot. Turner appeared in 22 games during Uribe’s absence and hit a solid .388 (26 for 67) with five doubles, two home runs and 12 RBIs.

Although it is unknown exactly when Uribe will return to the Dodgers line-up, it certainly couldn’t come at a better time.

*  *  *  UPDATE  *  *  *

Dodgers beat reporter Ken Gurnick is reporting that Juan Uribe will not rejoin the team in San Diego today but will instead continue his rehab with the Quakes.

In all likelihood this is purely a precautionary measure and suggests that Uribe will rejoin the team in Los Angeles on Thursday when they return from Kansas City. Of course Justin Turner’s hot bat could have played into this decision as well.

This certainly explains why an obviously unhappy Juan Uribe declined to talk with reporters and why he chose not to sign autographs after Saturday night’s game in Rancho Cucamonga.