Joc Pederson could begin rehab assignment by the weekend

LOS ANGELES — Joc Pederson was back on the field before Monday’s game at Dodger Stadium, going through a full bevy of workouts, his most baseball activity since getting placed on the concussion disabled list. If all goes well, Pederson could begin a minor league rehab assignment by the weekend.

“The workout was encouraging, and everything went well. I’m excited. Hopefully I can be back soon,” said Pederson, who remained in Los Angeles while the Dodgers were on the road.

He has been sidelined since May 23, when Pederson ran full speed into both Yasiel Puig then the right field wall in a violent collision at Dodger Stadium.

Pederson will need to pass a series of concussion tests before getting cleared for game action, but manager Dave Roberts said Monday that if everything goes well Pederson could begin his rehab games over the weekend. Pederson sounded anxious to get back on the field.

“It’s pretty frustrating, when you’re sitting at home,” he said. “The brain is something you have to be extra cautious with, especially with all the stuff coming out concussion-wise in the NFL. It’s unfortunate but it’s part of the game, so I just have to sit and wait until I can get back out there.”

Then there is the matter of just how long Pederson will be on rehab assignment. Justin Turner, dealing with a hamstring strain, began his rehab assignment Monday night with Class-A Rancho Cucamonga, and will likely only need two games (maybe Thursday, after a Wednesday off day) before potentially getting activated this weekend.

But Pederson is hitting just .200/.309/.314 two months into the season with two home runs, including just one since opening day.

“From that point on, it is kind of contingent on how he is responding,” Roberts said of Pederson. “Hopefully we’ll get him back sooner rather than later.

“When Joc comes back, we’re going to have the confidence that he is swinging the bat the way he should be swinging, to warrant helping our club,” Roberts said. “With Joc, we really want him swinging the bat well before he gets here.”