MIAMI -- Howie Kendrick would make a nice trade chip for the Phillies, but there's one issue as the Trade Deadline nears: He isn't on the field.
That could change soon, however, as Kendrick is expected to begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Reading on Thursday.
The 34-year-old has been on the 10-day DL since June 30 with a strained left hamstring. He's been taking batting practice and outfield work during the Phillies' three-game series against the Marlins in Miami.
Kendrick is hitting .349 through 33 games this season, which would be tops on the team if he played enough games to qualify. He's also posted a .879 OPS in 139 plate appearances and garnered a 1.0 WAR in his limited play, according to Fangraphs.
Kendrick, who will be a free agent at the end of the season, could help a contending team if he can prove he's healthy. He missed time in April with an abdominal strain, a disabled list stint that lasted nearly all of May.
But if a team is searching for versatility, Kendrick could be their guy. He's logged 163 innings in the left field, 94 1/3 innings at second base and 2 1/3 innings at first.