Jose Bautista of the Toronto Blue Jays hits a two-run home run against the Tampa Bay Rays on May 17, 2016 in Toronto.Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images
Toronto slugger Jose Bautista is expected to begin a rehab assignment on Wednesday and could rejoin the Blue Jays when they open a three-game interleague series at home against San Diego on Monday.
Bautista, out since June 16 with turf toe, will play for Class-A Dunedin on Wednesday and play three games with Triple-A Buffalo over the weekend.
"If all's good, you'll probably see him Monday, I would guess," manager John Gibbons said before the Blue Jays played the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night.
In 65 games this season, Bautista, 35, is batting .230 with 12 home runs and 41 runs batted in.
Gibbons said Bautista will be the designated hitter in some games as well as his customary position in right field.