Pirates' Ji-Man Choi: Beginning assignment

Choi (Achilles) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Altoona on Thursday.

Thursday will be Choi's first taste of game action since landing on the injured list April 15 with a left Achilles strain. The Pirates haven't indicated how long they plan on keeping Choi in the minors, but a return before the end of June could be possible.