MINNEAPOLIS -- Outfielder Robbie Grossman, who is on the disabled list with a strained right hamstring, will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Rochester on Thursday, Twins manager Paul Molitor said Wednesday.
Grossman has been out since Aug. 5, but participated in full workouts at Target Field on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Twins thought about activating him on Thursday, but decided to get him some at-bats this weekend with Rochester playing in Toledo.
"Hopefully the game conditions don't change how he feels, which is always a little concerning, especially with hamstring injuries," Molitor said. "Try to get him down there, we're talking about having him DH tomorrow, and then try to get some outfield play over a couple days that follow that. And we'll re-evaluate by Sunday morning."
Grossman, 28, is hitting .253/.332/.365 with four homers and 34 RBIs in 92 games this season. In his absence, Christopher Austin is the club's primary designated hitter. Austin was acquired from the Yankees as part of the Lance Lynn trade.
Worth noting
• Despite right-hander Trevor Hildenberger picking up the save in Tuesday's 5-2 win, Molitor said he's still going to use matchups to determine his closer, and that it remains a closer-by-committee.
"It kind of worked out that way," Molitor said. "I almost went to him earlier, because of the way one of the preceding innings was unfolding. Because I know a strikeout or ground ball is a way to get off the field sometimes. But as it turned out, it just kind of lined up last night in a pretty good spot for him."

• Molitor was pleased to hear about Byron Buxton's strong night in his return at Rochester, as he went 3-for-5 with a homer and four RBIs on Tuesday after being reinstated from the DL. Buxton, who had been dealing with a sprained left wrist since mid-July, is utilizing a leg kick as part of his swing mechanics.
"It's a good start," Molitor said. "I'm happy for him that he got back in the lineup and had a nice ballgame. I'm sure the frustration he must feel for everything that has come his way this year. I'm just hoping that's a sign of the hand being healthy and that we can get him going and see how he can finish off the campaign."