Avila hopes to start rehab stint Thursday

New York — Alex Avila, on the disabled list with a left knee injury since May 8, hopes to begin his rehab assignment Thursday.

"That would be what I am shooting for, yes," Avila said Saturday.

Avila said he felt no undue pain or soreness after he caught a bullpen and ran sprints Friday night. Before Saturday's game he did agility drills and threw.

"I felt real good yesterday and I felt good when I woke up this morning," Avila said. "I am happy with how it's gone so far."

Avila expects his rehab stint to last at least five games.

"It's a progression, like what we do in spring training," he said. "I will probably catch three or four innings, then DH for a game, then catch five innings, then seven. It's going to be in the five-game range."