ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Center fielder and leadoff hitter Delino DeShields will start an injury rehabilitation assignment with Double-A Frisco on Thursday and could return to the Texas Rangers' lineup during a weekend series against Seattle.

DeShields has been on the disabled list since March 31 because of a broken hamate bone in the left wrist. DeShields had surgery on April 2, and the forecast was that he would be out 4-6 weeks.

"I told y'all I'd be back in three weeks," DeShields said after a batting practice session Wednesday morning at Tropicana Field. "I can be stubborn. I feel great. It's time to get back on the field."

DeShields is scheduled to play two games with Frisco and be evaluated Saturday.

The Rangers have missed the speed element that DeShields brings to a lineup. They began play against Tampa Bay with only four steals in nine tries during the 17 games that DeShields had missed.

"It's an element of our game that really helps this offense," manager Jeff Banister said. "Our guys have done well with the on-base portion at the top of the lineup ... but we've missed the running dynamic."