Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez will begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment Saturday and could rejoin the team as early as Tuesday.

When Ramirez had surgery March 22 to repair a torn tendon in his right thumb, doctors predicted he would be out roughly eight weeks.

He has said that he plans to come back much earlier.

Ramirez's return has been helped by a flexible splint that allows him to hit and make throws without further injuring his thumb.