"Taking batting practice for the first time since he broke his left thumb three weeks ago, Rafael Furcal said he thinks he will be able to start a minor league rehabilitation by the middle of this week.

"I'm excited," Furcal said.

Furcal also took ground balls, another first.

Furcal said he thinks he will be ready to rejoin the Dodgers after three or four minor league games.

Part of that is because he has maintained a rigorous conditioning program while sidelined.

"My body is in great shape," Furcal said.

But there's a checklist of tasks Furcal must complete before he starts playing in games again.

He has to be able to hit from the right side. (He batted only left-handed Saturday because his thumb hurts when he hits right-handed.)

And he has to be able to apply a tag at second base without feeling any pain.

So, even though Furcal is aiming to play in a few days, trainer Stan Conte said he didn't have a target date for his return.

In Furcal's absence, utility man Jamey Carroll has started at shortstop. With Carroll at short, Casey Blake on the disabled list and Juan Uribe at third base, Aaron Miles has become the Dodgers' regular second baseman."