Oakland Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes could begin his rehab assignment on Thursday.

Cespedes, who is coming off a right hand injury, wanted to return sooner.

"Yeah," manager Bob Melvin said. "He would've flown out of here yesterday to try to get in a game last night."

The 27-year-old could potentially play three games in Sacramento, rather than two, before coming off the disabled list when eligible Sunday.