After successful BP, Willingham heads to Triple-A

MINNEAPOLIS -- Twins left fielder Josh Willingham took batting practice without any issues before Thursday's game against the Red Sox, and is set to begin his rehab assignment at Triple-A Rochester on Friday.

Willingham hit on the field before the game, and reported no problems with his left wrist. Willingham, who is on the 15-day disabled list with a small fracture in his left wrist, retroactive to April 7, was scheduled to fly out to Rochester after Thursday's game.

"Willingham was out on the field this morning and everything went well," Twins assistant general manager Rob Antony said. "He was hitting bombs. He looked good. So he'll head to Rochester this afternoon."

There's still no exact timeline for his return, as he needs plenty of at-bats, considering he hasn't played in more than a month.

"It's twofold," Antony said. "You want to make sure he's healthy and his timing is down and is swinging well before he gets back. We haven't really put a timetable on him. If it's up to him, it would be two or three days, but I don't think that's realistic. He needs more time."