Pierzynski ready to begin rehab assignment

ARLINGTON -- Catcher A.J. Pierzynski, on the disabled list with a strained oblique muscle in his right rib cage, took batting practice on Thursday and should be ready to play for Double-A Frisco on Sunday. He may play for Frisco on Monday as well, but the Rangers are expecting to activate him on Tuesday, the first day he is eligible.

"I'm good to go. I wish I could play today," Pierzynski said.

The Rangers haven't finalized Pierzynski's plans for a rehab assignment, but there is no doubt that he'll be activated on Tuesday unless there is an unexpected setback.

"If I didn't play him when he was ready to play, it would be a miserable day for me," manager Ron Washington said. "I wouldn't be able to get him out of my office."

Geovany Soto has been catching regularly with Robinson Chirinos serving as a backup. The Rangers have won both games that Chirinos started and he'll get one more start before Pierzynski is activated.

"He's done great, he really has," Washington said. "He blocks balls well and has soft hands receiving the ball. He's done a good job and I'm certainly going to get him out there again."