"Away from downtown court action, the Dodgers still managed to be active at the stadium Tuesday on the health front.

Shortstop Rafael Furcal, on the disabled list since Aug. 11 with a lower back strain, is scheduled to begin a two-game rehabilitation assignment at triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday.

Dodgers trainer Stan Conte said Furcal is then scheduled to rejoin the Dodgers on Friday.

"It's totally better than before,'' Furcal said. "Right now, I feel good.''

Second baseman Ryan Theriot, who has an 11-game hitting streak, was scratched from the lineup with a sore left knee. He was replaced by Ronnie Belliard.

Phillies outfielder Jayson Werth slid into Theriot on Monday night in the eighth inning to break up a double-play attempt. Theriot remained in the game, but the knee was sore Tuesday.

Manager Joe Torre said with an afternoon game Wednesday and an off-day on Thursday, Theriot probably would not return to the lineup until Friday."