LOS ANGELES -- Corey Dickerson embarked on a rehab assignment Friday, joining Triple-A Indianapolis in Charlotte.

Dickerson, who was placed on the injured list on April 4 with a right posterior shoulder strain, is set to go through a workout program on Friday, then will see game action as designated hitter for Indianapolis on Saturday and Sunday.

“[He’ll] have a day off Monday, they’ll go to Indy, and then be scheduled to play left field on Tuesday and Wednesday,” said Pirates manager Clint Hurdle. “If all goes well, he’d have Thursday off, travel back and join us on Friday.”

Starling Marte had an encouraging pregame workout on Friday, and may be able to avoid a rehab assignment altogether.

“[Marte] went and worked out his first full day on the field today,” said Hurdle. “He’ll have another workout tomorrow. [He’ll] run the bases tomorrow, [he’ll] throw to bases tomorrow. Today was all swing orientation, shagging fly balls off the bat. We’ll add velocity, we’ll add spin all through the weekend and we’ll see where we are when we get to Texas.”

Marte landed on the IL on April 20 with an abdominal wall contusion, the result of a collision with shortstop Erik Gonzalez, who bore the brunt of the incident and underwent surgery to repair a broken collarbone. Marte will be eligible to return on Tuesday, the first day of the Pirates’ series vs. the Rangers.