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.

Josh Willingham (knee) will likely begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A. Twins GM Terry Ryan wouldn't reveal a specific timetable, but said Willingham's rehab would likely take place where "competition is the highest." Willingham, who underwent knee surgery on July 3, was batting .224/.356/.398 with 10 home runs and 37 RBI prior to the injury.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said that Josh Willingham (knee) could resume baseball activities next week. Willingham, who underwent knee surgery on July 3, remains without an official timetable to return and will need to be sent on a rehab assignment before he's activated from the disabled list. The 34-year-old outfielder was batting .224/.356/.398 with 10 home runs and 37 RBI prior to the injury.

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports that there's "almost no chance" the Twins will trade Josh Willingham. It's certainly no surprise, as Willingham is likely to be sidelined well into August following left knee surgery. Heyman also says the Twins "like how he protects their left-handed hitters and love the fact that he's under contract for 2014." Willingham is batting .224/.356/.398 with 10 homers this season.

Josh Willingham (knee) has begun light exercises. Willingham underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee a week ago but is feeling well enough already for some light workouts. The outfielder is expected to be sidelined for the next 4-6 weeks, so there's a good chance we won't see him until well into August.

Josh Willingham will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. Willingham underwent an MRI on Tuesday that revealed a medical meniscus tear and some bone bruising, and the Twins have determined that the best course of action is for him to get cut open. He'll be sidelined for the next 4-6 weeks, so there's a good chance we won't see him until well into August.

Twins placed OF Josh Willingham on the 15-day disabled list with a left knee injury. Willingham underwent an MRI on Tuesday afternoon that revealed a medical meniscus tear and some bone bruising. The veteran outfielder is going to be sidelined for an extended period of time, killing any trade value he might have had. Aaron Hicks was activated from the 15-day disabled list in a corresponding 25-man roster move.

Darren Wolfson of 1500ESPN.com hears that there's a "good possibility" that Josh Willingham (knee) will be placed on the disabled list. Willingham was scheduled to undergo an MRI on his ailing left knee Tuesday, but the results aren't yet known. Either way, the Twins apparently don't expect him back anytime soon. Aaron Hicks is expected to replace him on the active roster.

Josh Willingham will undergo an MRI Tuesday on his ailing left knee. Willingham has been dealing with soreness in the knee for a couple weeks now, and the pain was bad enough Monday that he had to be scratched from the lineup. Even if no structural damage is found, the Twins might decide to play it safe and shut Willingham down through the All-Star break. The outfielder is batting .224/.356/.398 with 10 homers and 37 RBI this season.

Josh Willingham was scratched from Monday's lineup with an undisclosed injury. The Twins have yet to provide a reason for Willingham being scratched, but they should do so shortly. Trevor Plouffe moved into the DH spot, while Jamey Carroll entered the game at third base.