Zobrist to begin rehab assignment on Tuesday

OAKLAND -- The A's might be hurting right now but one of their most valuable players is close to returning to game action.

Following Sunday's 7-3 loss to the White Sox, A's manager Bob Melvin announced veteran Ben Zobrist will make a five-inning rehab appearance with Class A Advanced Stockton on Tuesday.

It will mark Zobrist's first game action since April 24, as he has been on the disabled list since undergoing arthroscopic surgery to repair a meniscus tear in his left knee.

Zobrist tested out his legs with some baserunning on the field at the Coliseum before Sunday's contest and made it through with no setbacks.

In his first season with the A's, Zobrist is batting .240/.304/.400 with a homer, five doubles and eight RBIs in 14 games.

The versatile veteran began the season as a corner outfielder while the A's dealt with injuries, but settled into the starting second baseman's role before going down with his injury.