12 A.J. Pierzynski, C

Rangers catcher A.J. Pierzynski is scheduled to begin a brief rehab assignment Sunday before being activated Tuesday. Pierzynski may also play a rehab game Monday, as manager Ron Washington doesn't think he needs a "mental day off" his players usually receive between rehab and major-league appearances.

"I don’t know if I can do that to A.J. and make him sit another day," Washington told the Dallas Morning News. "Besides, I want to watch the game, too. He’s up here in my office every day telling me he wants to play. I think playing him will be more of a mental day off for me than for him."

Rangers catcher A.J. Pierzynski (oblique) resumed throwing Sunday and will begin hitting off a tee Monday, according to ESPN. Pierzynski hopes to progress to batting practice Thursday.

Pierzynski said he will be ready to come off the disabled list when he's eligible May 21.

"I'll be ready when it's time to come off," Pierzynski said.

The Rangers placed catcher A.J. Pierzynski on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday night with a strained oblique. The move was made retroactive to May 6.

The Rangers recalled catcher Robinson Chirinos in a corresponding move. Geovany Soto is expected to spend most of the time behind the plate while Pierzynski is out.

The Rangers are expected to place catcher A.J. Pierzynski on the disabled list, FOXSports.com reports. He hasn't played since Sunday while dealing with a sore oblique, which he had an MRI on Wednesday.

Pierzynski has hit .263/.297/.411 with four home runs in 101 plate appearances this season.

Rangers catcher A.J. Pierzynski was sent for an MRI on his sore right oblique.

"It's something he's been dealing with and he said he's played with it," manager Ron Washington told ESPNDallas.com before Wednesday's game against the Brewers. "So we just wanted to get a precautionary MRI and get some fact on it. We don't know what's happening right now. But if I need him to catch tonight, if for some reason [Geovany] Soto goes down, he can do it."

Pierzynski hasn't played since Sunday.