Freese almost ready for rehab

ST. LOUIS (AP) -St. Louis Cardinals third baseman David Freese, who has been out the last month with ankle and toe injuries, could begin a rehab assignment soon.

Manager Tony La Russa said Friday that Freese was close to being ready to play but had yet to run at 100 percent. La Russa was confident the rookie, who is batting .296 with four homers and 36 RBIs in 70 games, would be back in the lineup by mid-August.

Freese has a bone bruise on his right ankle and his rehab was complicated when he dropped a weight that broke his left big toe.

Pitcher Kyle Lohse is set for a second rehab start Saturday with Triple-A Memphis after forearm surgery in late May. La Russa indicated the right-hander might need one more minor league appearance after that before rejoining the roster.