Thu 8/1/13 12:57 PM

Josh Willingham (knee) is expected to begin a rehab assignment this weekend with Triple-A Rochester. Willingham should be back in the Twins' starting lineup early next week. He underwent a minor knee procedure on July 3 and was batting just .224/.356/.398 before he hit the shelf, but the 34-year-old outfielder could draw interest this month as a waiver trade candidate.