Marlins outfielder Christian Yelich is set to begin a minor league rehab assignment Sunday with High-A Jupiter, reports Manny Navarro of the Miami Herald.
Yelich, who has been out since April 19 with a bulging disk in his lower back, is expected to play a total of three rehab games. The 23-year-old is eligible to come off the disabled list on Tuesday, but the plan calls for him to be activated Thursday for the start of a four-game series against the Giants in San Francisco.
It was obvious that something wasn’t quite right with Yelich to begin the season, as he struggled to the tune of a .200/.265/.222 batting line with just a one extra-base hit (a double) over his first 49 plate appearances. Ichiro Suzuki has been filling in during his absence.
