Furcal set for new rehab stint at Double-A

MIAMI -- There has been a slight change of plans in Rafael Furcal's rehab assignment.

On Friday, Furcal will start a fresh rehab stint with Double-A Jacksonville. Initially, the club was leaning toward sending the 36-year-old to Triple-A New Orleans.

Furcal had been on rehab assignment at Jacksonville as he is recovering from the strained left hamstring that landed him on the disabled list before the start of the season. However, a week ago while playing for the Suns, Furcal strained his right groin, cutting the assignment short.

The past few days, Furcal has been taking ground balls, hitting and going through drills during batting practice with the Marlins at Marlins Park.

"He will start playing again, and we'll see from there," manager Mike Redmond said. "He took a bunch of grounders today and ran again. He says his legs are feeling better. He says he's ready to get back. We'll see how that goes."

Furcal will have up to 20 days of games on rehab assignment. Barring a setback, it's unlikely he will need that many.

Furcal was one of Miami's key offseason signees, and the club has yet to have him on the field.

Derek Dietrich started at second base against the Braves on Thursday night.