Maxwell to start Double-A rehab stint Tuesday

ANAHEIM -- Astros center fielder Justin Maxwell will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Corpus Christi on Tuesday night.

Maxwell was placed on the DL with a broken left hand on April 24. While the team wants to get Maxwell back into its lineup as soon as possible, manager Bo Porter is not sure how long the rehab assignment will last.

"I think it all depends on just health," Porter said. "It's one thing to go through drills, it's another thing to be in a live game. I'm more interested in how he's going to feel the next day and the next day, then after the first day."

Maxwell has played 20 games in 2013 and posted a .234 batting average with one home run and six RBIs.

Brandon Barnes, Jimmy Paredes and J.D. Martinez have played well in Maxwell's absence, but Porter insists Maxwell has not lost his spot.

"Justin Maxwell is our starting center fielder," Porter said. "He's only not here because he had an injury, so the sooner we can get him back, the better."

While there is still time for things to shape up before Maxwell's return, Porter said Martinez has shown he deserves to play every day, meaning right field will be occupied by either Paredes or Barnes.