Dodgers OF Crawford to begin rehab assignment

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford is scheduled to begin a minor league rehab assignment Sunday with Class A Rancho Cucamonga, according to ESPN Los Angeles.

Crawford, 31, has been out since June 1 with a strained left He is expected to play two games as designated hitter and two in the outfield. He could join the Dodgers by next Thursday.

When Crawford returns, Andre Ethier could be on the outs or put on the bench with Matt Kemp and Yasiel Puig also manning starting spots in the outfield.

Crawford is batting .301 with five homers, 13 RBI and nine steals in 51 games this season.