Cardinals' Matt Carpenter: Slated to begin rehab assignment Sunday

Carpenter (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Springfield on Sunday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The three-time All-Star was recently cleared to resume baseball activities after being shut down for several weeks, and has successfully ramped up close to a rehab assignment. It's uncertain how long Carpenter will need in the minors to prepare for a return to the major league roster, but it seems he has a decent chance to make it back for the start of the team's homestand next week. He will immediately resume his role as the Cardinals' leadoff hitter upon activation.