OAKLAND -- Outfielder Kyle Lewis has ramped up his baseball activities in recent days, and the Mariners are hopeful that he could start a rehab assignment as soon as this weekend, per manager Scott Servais.

“He’s feeling much better,” Servais said. “All positive. He continues to work really hard and hopefully we can get him out here sooner rather than later.”

Servais added that Lewis would likely get some at-bats at designated hitter during his rehab assignment before transitioning to the field.

When asked if the rehab assignment could last more than a few games, Servais acknowledged that the season is winding down, but added the team wants Lewis to be 100 percent before even considering bringing him back into the fold.

“The clock starts ticking a little bit once you get to September 1,” Servais said. “Players are going to be able to come back and be able to help impact your club, but we certainly want to make sure he’s completely healthy and [that] he feels good about where his game’s at before we would consider activating him with the Major League team. Looking forward to eventually getting him back, that’s for sure.”

Lewis hasn’t played since May 31 after suffering a torn right meniscus, but made progress on Aug. 13 by taking batting practice on the field with his teammates, his first on-field baseball activity since being put on the injured list. At that time, Servais said he was optimistic that Lewis would play again sometime this season.

The reigning Rookie of the Year’s sophomore season has been derailed by injuries that forced him to be sidelined for the first few weeks. He wasn't able to make his 2021 debut until April 20 due to a bone bruise on his right knee.

Lewis got off to a slow start upon returning, going 5-for-31 (.161) across his first eight games, but started to put things together in May. In the season’s second month, Lewis slashed .273/.368/.394 with three home runs, three doubles and a 120 wRC+ in May. In his last 10 games before suffering the meniscus tear, Lewis slashed .289/.341/.500 with two home runs, two doubles and five RBIs.