Darwin Barney 'pretty much ready to go now'

Cubs manager Dale Sveum told MLB.com that second baseman Darwin Barney, on the 15-day disabled list, will begin a minor-league rehab assignment on Saturday. He is expected to play in rehab games for a couple of days and could return as early as next Tuesday.

Barney has been recovering from a laceration on his kneecap suffered during spring training.

"He could play today," Sveum said Tuesday. "He's pretty much ready to go now."