Reds' Phillips could begin rehab assignment Friday

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips appears poised to begin a rehab assignment Friday and could rejoin the big-league club as soon as next week, according to C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Phillips took on-field batting practice prior to Tuesday's game and is expected to do so for the next two days before heading to either Triple-A Louisville or Low-A Dayton on Friday.

"That'll be the logical next step and then it'll be a game-by-game evaluation of how he's doing," manager Bryan Price said. "He's going to certainly need at least a handful of at-bats to assess where he is and get his timing back somewhat and then we'll evaluate and see where he is."

Phillips hasn't played since July 9, and Price said the 33-year-old is eager to return to the lineup.

"He loves to play and I don't want to say he's rushed his rehab, but he's done everything he can to get back to this place where he can actually be considered to get out to a rehab assignment and join our club sooner than expected," Price said. "We're really excited not just by his recovery, but by how excited he is to get back."